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Evolution of Architectural Engineering and Infrastructural Baselines in the Riverfront: Tracing Processes and the Power Dynamics that Shaped Them - A Comparative Study of HafenCity, Neckarbogen, and 3Land Riverfront Redevelopments
Date Issued
2026-01
Author(s)
Sanja Avramoska
DOI
10.26083/tuda-7664
Abstract
Contemporary riverfront redevelopments are complex urban transformations that combine engineering, environmental, social, and economic objectives. Many human and non-human actors shape these projects: national and local authorities, engineering offices, experts, funding mechanisms, laws, technical requirements, natural systems, heritage infrastructures, and the river itself. To achieve a successful transformation that meets the requirements of sustainable and resilient urban development, these transformations unfold as a lengthy process of negotiation and setting trade-offs among the various actants involved in the redevelopment.
The aim of this dissertation is to investigate how infrastructures in contemporary riverfront redevelopment projects evolve, are negotiated, and become stabilized throughout the redevelopment process. The research compares three cases: HafenCity in Hamburg, Neckarbogen in Heilbronn, and 3Land in Basel–Weil am Rhein–Huningue. To successfully investigate the evolution of infrastructures, from idea to implementation, this dissertation examines how architectural engineering and infrastructural baselines evolved, as well as how governance structures and power dynamics influenced these processes. To trace the change of power relations and heterogeneous relationships between infrastructures and other actors in the process, Actor-Network Theory was employed as a theoretical approach.
Methodologically, the study follows a comparative, qualitative, multi-case study research design. Data on the cases were collected through systematic literature and document analysis, semi-structured qualitative interviews, and field visits. To structure the case study analysis, a phasing framework was developed. In this framework, each process was structured chronologically and deconstructed into phases of change, referred to as translations. For each translation, technical baselines emerged as gates – infrastructural requirements that had to be met for the process to proceed. Four key infrastructural dimensions in riverfront redevelopments were elaborated: flood protection infrastructure, blue-green infrastructure, active mobility infrastructures, and architectural superstructures. Finally, after each case was analyzed according to the established protocol, a further comparative analysis was conducted to identify convergences and divergences across the three cases.
The results of the empirical analyses and the comparative analysis showed that each project unfolded gradually from vision to measurable parameters. The projects operated in distinct legal, planning, and hydrological contexts, which influenced how different infrastructural priorities were set: flood-related baselines were prioritized in HafenCity, blue-green infrastructures were prioritized in Neckarbogen, and active-mobility infrastructures were a priority in 3Land. The evolution of baselines into measurable parameters and the focus on requirements for infrastructural and architectural performance made architectural engineering a mediating discipline in this process for turning those requirements into tangible spatial outcomes. Moreover, flexible governance and management structures, phased implementation, and the early establishment of strong connectivity within the redevelopment areas have proven to be key factors in their success.
The contribution of this dissertation is methodological, theoretical, and empirical. Methodologically, the research proposes an innovative framework for analyzing complex urban developments beyond riverfronts by combining process-based research with actor-network mapping. Theoretically, this research advances the understanding of how architectural engineering and process phasing contribute to shaping resilient infrastructures. Empirically, it provides original insights into the three cases and offers practical, policy-relevant implications for the planning and implementation of such long-term, large-scale projects.
The aim of this dissertation is to investigate how infrastructures in contemporary riverfront redevelopment projects evolve, are negotiated, and become stabilized throughout the redevelopment process. The research compares three cases: HafenCity in Hamburg, Neckarbogen in Heilbronn, and 3Land in Basel–Weil am Rhein–Huningue. To successfully investigate the evolution of infrastructures, from idea to implementation, this dissertation examines how architectural engineering and infrastructural baselines evolved, as well as how governance structures and power dynamics influenced these processes. To trace the change of power relations and heterogeneous relationships between infrastructures and other actors in the process, Actor-Network Theory was employed as a theoretical approach.
Methodologically, the study follows a comparative, qualitative, multi-case study research design. Data on the cases were collected through systematic literature and document analysis, semi-structured qualitative interviews, and field visits. To structure the case study analysis, a phasing framework was developed. In this framework, each process was structured chronologically and deconstructed into phases of change, referred to as translations. For each translation, technical baselines emerged as gates – infrastructural requirements that had to be met for the process to proceed. Four key infrastructural dimensions in riverfront redevelopments were elaborated: flood protection infrastructure, blue-green infrastructure, active mobility infrastructures, and architectural superstructures. Finally, after each case was analyzed according to the established protocol, a further comparative analysis was conducted to identify convergences and divergences across the three cases.
The results of the empirical analyses and the comparative analysis showed that each project unfolded gradually from vision to measurable parameters. The projects operated in distinct legal, planning, and hydrological contexts, which influenced how different infrastructural priorities were set: flood-related baselines were prioritized in HafenCity, blue-green infrastructures were prioritized in Neckarbogen, and active-mobility infrastructures were a priority in 3Land. The evolution of baselines into measurable parameters and the focus on requirements for infrastructural and architectural performance made architectural engineering a mediating discipline in this process for turning those requirements into tangible spatial outcomes. Moreover, flexible governance and management structures, phased implementation, and the early establishment of strong connectivity within the redevelopment areas have proven to be key factors in their success.
The contribution of this dissertation is methodological, theoretical, and empirical. Methodologically, the research proposes an innovative framework for analyzing complex urban developments beyond riverfronts by combining process-based research with actor-network mapping. Theoretically, this research advances the understanding of how architectural engineering and process phasing contribute to shaping resilient infrastructures. Empirically, it provides original insights into the three cases and offers practical, policy-relevant implications for the planning and implementation of such long-term, large-scale projects.
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