The Wilde Wald forest is to be cleared for the so-called “Spreehafenviertel” district. The Hamburg-Mitte district office wants to build 1.100 flats, 32.000 m² of commercial space and new sports facilities here, planned by IBA Hamburg GmbH. This would destroy the entire Wilder Wald forest. The green strip planned along the banks of the Ernst-August-Kanal and the planned ‘action area’, which is to be preserved as a refuge for the local animals, cannot in any way compensate for the ecological and climatic function of the forest and are by no means sufficient as a habitat for the animal species affected.

But it’s not too late! The development plan (Bebauungsplan or “B-Plan”) for the so-called Spreehafenviertel has not yet been finalised; that is scheduled to happen in 2026. There are still bureaucratic and legal options available to prevent the clearing.

The development plan “Wilhelmsburg 102” timeline:

• 22.02.2021: Zoning resolution: Resolution by the Mitte district office to initiate a development plan procedure, theoretically with an open outcome, but in practice with a politically desired outcome.
• 09.08.2021: Public planning discussion: Event at which the Mitte district office presents its plans and everyone can ask questions and express criticism. This is part of the legally required public participation process.
• Beginning of September 2023: Involvement of public interest groups (“TÖB”), these include nature conservation associations: All of them have spoken out very clearly in favour of preserving the forest.
• Next steps expected in 2026: Public display of plans (“Öffentliche Planauslegung”): The draft development plan will be displayed publicly at the Mitte district office and online for one month, during which time anyone (regardless of whether they are a minor, eligible to vote or registered in Hamburg) can submit written objections to it. We do not know when this will be, but it must be announced two weeks in advance. The objections must be officially incorporated into the planning (or they will come up with a ‘good’ excuse). Only then can the development plan be approved by the Hamburg-Mitte district assembly.

The legally valid development plan is a prerequisite for building permits and thus for actual construction work. We do not know whether there are already preliminary agreements or arrangements with specific construction investors and whether they are already preparing concrete construction measures. Nor do we know whether the city of Hamburg itself intends to carry out bomb, pollutant or soil surveys or other preparatory work beforehand. This would also require clearing. As the forest belongs to the city, it cannot be ruled out that it will approve clearing for ‘construction preparation’ itself.