Rostock city harbor: Flood protection walls cause heated discussions!

Rostock city harbor: Flood protection walls cause heated discussions!

Construction work is underway at Rostock's city harbor to build a flood protection system, which is characterized by extensive planning and citizen discussions. In response to a request from citizen member Christian Albrecht (Die Linke), the city administration provided information on the height and effects of the planned flood protection walls in a statement. The measures, which are considered a coastal protection issue for the state of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, are a direct response to past flood events and a reassessment of flood protection.

As part of the planning, specific heights for the flood protection walls were determined. A height of 3.2 meters above sea level is to be achieved on the Kempowski bank, while 3.54 meters above sea level is planned for the rest of the city harbor. In addition, care is taken not to build a two-meter-high wall; the protective structures are reduced to the maximum necessary height.

Construction progress and costs

The total costs for the flood protection measures amount to almost 60 million euros. A large part of the financial resources will be used to build almost three kilometers of flood protection, which extends from the Kabutzenhof to the Vorpommernbrücke. During a presentation in the town hall, Minister Till Backhaus praised the good cooperation between the city and the state and the inclusion of the specialist authorities in the planning.

Construction work is expected to last until next year, with the aim of completing the measures by 2030. In addition to the flood protection walls, other implementations are also planned, such as the relocation of two large rainwater outlets and the expansion of a right-turn lane from the L22.

Design and citizen opinions

In order to minimize the impact on the cityscape, a design in terrace-like solutions was planned. The average wall height on the Kempowski bank will be 1.4 meters, while in the Al Porto area it will be around 1.5 meters. The wall heights on the silo peninsula vary between 0.92 and 1.84 meters. The average visibility of the flood protection wall on Friedrichstrasse is estimated at 1.87 meters.

The reactions of local restaurateurs at the city harbor are mixed. Some express concerns about the height of the planned wall, while others, such as a restaurateur, see positive developments and even put forward suggestions for higher terraces. Discussion about financial safeguards, such as the possible establishment of an “insurance fund”, is also ongoing. The Senator for Infrastructure, Environment and Construction, Holger Matthäus, and Senator Fischer-Gäde emphasize that such a fund can only be a supplement to the structural measures.

Overall, flood protection is viewed as economically viable, with benefits that are approximately twelve times greater than the associated costs. Several aspects related to the construction of the flood defenses continue to be discussed before final planning details are finalized.

In summary, flood protection at Rostock's city harbor is not only a technical challenge, but also an important social and economic project that has triggered far-reaching discussions among citizens. The city administration is aware of its responsibility and is working closely with the state to ensure the necessary security for the region.

For further details on the planned flood protection measures at the city harbor, the reports from Northern Courier and Rostock today be consulted.