New harbor district in Cologne-Deutz: Architecture competition gets underway!

New harbor district in Cologne-Deutz: Architecture competition gets underway!

A lot is happening in Deutz Harbor: A new district with around 3,000 apartments and space for around 6,000 jobs is to be built on an area of ​​around 38 hectares. This transformation is a significant step for the city of Cologne and has now taken concrete form through an architectural competition. Ten architectural firms took part in the competition, and the first results were available on April 30, 2025. Five designs were chosen as winners. [Rundschau Online].

The jury was able to rely on several experts when making the selection. Representatives of the city of Cologne, the project developer “Moderne Stadt” and external experts were involved and made recommendations for further processing. Particular emphasis was placed on high-quality, sustainable development of the new living and working space, particularly with regard to the facade structure and the open spaces. Stadtwerke Köln makes it clear that the designs are intended to interpret the urban development model of the Deutzer Block, designed by COBE.

Sustainability in focus

The Deutzer Hafen not only stands for living space, but also for an ecological approach. Photovoltaic systems and roof gardens are planned for the roofs of the new buildings. This will not only enhance urban development aesthetically but also ecologically. The competition specifications aim for a relaxed block edge development with inner courtyards and varying height and facade jumps. “Moderne Stadt” GmbH, which owns over 80% of the space in Deutzer Hafen, plans to further develop the district in close cooperation with an investor. Arc highlights how important sustainable neighborhood development is for solving social problems in an urban context and reminds us that measures for ecological and social sustainability are also the focus of the Deutzer Hafen.

Given the prominent location on the harbor basin, special requirements are placed on the development. This includes flood protection requirements and a diverse mix of uses. The first structural measures on construction site 05, which is to be one of the first to be implemented, could begin as early as 2028. The necessary roads and infrastructure must be completed by then. In May 2025, extensive canal construction work began in the eastern part of the former industrial port.

A look into the future

The process of developing the Deutz port is far from complete. The five winners of the first stage of the architectural competition have until September to further refine their designs before the jury meets again. It will also address the question of which concepts are sustainable on an economic, political and cultural level. A sustainability handbook for the area has already been published in 2022 and is aiming for platinum certification. This will further underline the heights of urban development in the port of Deutz.

The next steps towards the realization of the new urban district are promising, and the anticipation of what will emerge here grows with every day. For many Cologne residents, this means an exciting prospect that not only creates living space, but also offers a balanced mix of work, culture and leisure time.