Antinomien des (neuen) Urbanismus. Henri Lefebvre, die HafenCity Hamburg und die Produktion des posturbanen Raumes: eine Forschungsskizze

Abstract

The article examines some paradoxes of urban planning by referring to Lefebvre’s concept of space. It shows how one of the most prestigious projects of waterfront development and new urban planning in Europe struggles with the complexity of urbanity. The latter is taken as a spontaneous, non-instrumental experience of urban spaces which is strongly related to Lefebvre’s espace vécu and is hardly to establish within the rationales of modern planning. To show this, the article examines empirical data, pictoral representations and pieces of the masterplan to develop the idea that planned urbanity is an antinomy in the Žižekian sense: it makes urbanity impossible. Some insights are given into this problem which is regarded as a severe restriction of—albeit reflexive and well informed—urban redevelopment projects. In getting aware of these antinomies, further critical thinking on enhancing urban performances is hopefully fostered.