Ten thousand employees once called City-Nord home. A bustling office district a green oasis. This is City-Nord-Park.
In the mid-1950s Hamburg faced a challenge. Expanding businesses needed more office space. The city center was overflowing. Werner Hebebrand the Oberbaudirektor had a bold vision. He wanted a new business district outside the city center. He envisioned a ‘second city’ like the expansion of Upper Manhattan around Central Park.
Hebebrand’s plan became reality. In 1959 the project ‘Office City in the Green’ was approved. Construction began in 1964. The area gradually became known as City Nord. A crucial part of the plan was City-Nord-Park.
The park’s design was entrusted to landscape architect Gunther Schulze. He created a modern design. Rows of trees and spacious walkways were key features. Reflecting pools added elegance. Large expanses of lawn created a calming atmosphere. Schulze envisioned no conifers or shrubs. No fences or hedges were allowed. It was a park of clean lines and modern aesthetics.
The initial plans included large water features. However budget cuts led to their removal in the 1970s. Geometric earth mounds were added instead. City-Nord-Park was designed as a central green space for workers. It was a place for relaxation and communication.
City-Nord-Park is a significant garden monument. A current plan aims to restore some lost features. The ecological aspects of the park are also considered important. City-Nord-Park is more than just a green space. It’s a testament to a unique urban planning experiment. It’s a place where nature and urban design coexist. A green heart beating within a modern business district. The park’s story is intertwined with City Nord’s history. It reflects ambition compromise and resilience. A park representing Hamburg’s ingenuity. City-Nord-Park stands as a testament to vision and adaptation. It remains a vital green space within the City Nord complex.