Collaboration with Volta – Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield plans one of the largest inner-city e-charging networks in Germany at Westfield Hamburg-Überseequartier

In the urban mixed-use quarter currently under construction in Hamburg’s HafenCity, there will be a total of around 320 e-charging stations. Project developer and investor Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield (URW) supplements 220 e-charging points intended for specific usage areas or tenants with an additional 100 publicly accessible charging stations for electric vehicles. This will be one of the largest inner-city e-charging networks in Germany (according to data of “Bundesnetzagentur” / German Federal Network Agency, as of February 1, 2023). For the public charging stations, URW has entered into an agreement with Volta Germany GmbH, a subsidiary of United States-based Volta Inc. (Volta) and a member of the Shell Group, to operate in spring 2024. Volta integrates e-charging infrastructure with digital media screens that display advertising campaigns and is one of the industry-leading companies.

The plans are an excellent example of the execution of the company-wide sustainability strategy “Better Places 2030,” which, in addition to ecological aspects and a focus on modern mobility, also takes into account the assumption of social responsibility and the promotion of local communities at the respective locations.

Volta plans to install a total of up to 100 public electric vehicle charge points at Westfield Hamburg-Überseequartier, with a mix of charging that includes AC single-port charging stalls equipped with media screens, adding digital media screens to the Volta Media™ Network, and fast DC charging pedestals.

Vincent Grena, Head of Europe at Volta, a member of the Shell Group, says: “Our collaboration with URW is another exciting opportunity for Volta to demonstrate the power of the Volta model in the European market. URW locations are true ‘lifestyle destinations’ that fit well with Volta’s market strategy – offering consumers a charging experience that fits seamlessly into their daily lives, while creating value and measurable business success for our partners.”

Dirk Hünerbein, Director of Development Austria & Germany at Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield, says: “URW has strategically anchored the topic of sustainability throughout the company, which can be seen very clearly in the conception and realization of Westfield Hamburg-Überseequartier. The promotion of low-emission mobility is an important concern for us, for which we are very active in the areas of logistics, transport and parking, as well as through cooperations with mobility partners. In this context, the cooperation with Volta fits very well. It enables us to drive forward our sustainability goals while at the same time increasing comfort for visitors, enhancing the quality of life for those who live here, and offering our rental partners additional added value.”

Better Places: Sustainability at Westfield Hamburg-Überseequartier
In line with the company-wide sustainability strategy “Better Places 2030”, sustainable aspects have been at the forefront of the construction of Westfield Hamburg-Überseequartier from the very beginning. This applies to construction, procurement, the use of building materials and resources as well as future operation and adaptability. Thus, upon completion, all buildings will carry BREEAM Communities as well as BREEAM New Construction Excellent certificates, an industry-recognized rating system for the environmental and sociocultural sustainability of buildings. There are also several other examples of the sustainability focus in project development: construction uses a special low-carbon cement that saves 50% carbon dioxide compared to conventional cement, the wood comes from legally verifiable sources, and recycled steel is used for concrete reinforcement. All energy needs for subsequent operations will be met with electricity from renewable energy sources. In addition, the infrastructure to supply shore power to ships docking at the cruise terminal is already planned.

Regarding mobility and traffic, the plans focus on local public transport – the quarter has its own subway station as well as two bus lines directly at the quarter – smart logistics and traffic guidance systems, sharing economy and numerous e-mobility platforms. Veloroute 10, a special bicycle expressway, runs along the quarter, and there will be a total of 3,500 bicycle parking spaces on the site. The first-floor level will be car-free. In the area of supply chains, URW is working on services including white-label boxes, delivery robots, and cargo bikes.

Westfield Hamburg-Überseequartier: urban regeneration
At Westfield Hamburg-Überseequartier in Hamburg’s HafenCity district, an ensemble of a total of 14 buildings is being created that will form a new vibrant flagship destination in Hamburg with outstanding architecture and a unique mix of uses. Retail, entertainment concepts and over 40 dining units will be finely balanced with a total of 579 apartments, offices for 4,000 workplaces, three hotels and a cruise terminal. The neighborhood is optimally integrated into the local infrastructure through its own subway station, bus lines and various mobility services. The mixed-use project consists of a total area of 419,000 square meters and is being realized by Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield until spring 2024.

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