The award-winning property, CTPark Bremen-Hemelingen, is located on the site of a former municipal landfill on the outskirts of Bremen. Following intensive demolition and preparation work by CTP Deutschland, a modern business and logistics park with around 28,700 square meters of new logistics space will be built by 1 June 2024.

Challenges in land management

The project was characterized by particular challenges with contaminated backfill materials and soil protection. Right at the start of the earthworks, it became clear that the material produced was contaminated with a mixture of household waste and minerals (>20% of the total mass) and could therefore only have been disposed of at high cost. The aim of the soil management concept therefore had to be to remove and dispose of as little landfill material as possible from the site. A solution-oriented and creative geotechnical concept consisting of soil management and special foundations was developed specifically for this purpose.

The removed material was applied to the areas to be backfilled after separation and removal of non-recyclable materials (household waste components such as plastic, film, metal parts, fabric remnants, etc.). The foundation level was essentially leveled by relocating materials from the landfill body (cut & fill). The necessary removal amounted to around 16,200 cubic meters with a contract volume of around 19,800 cubic meters. This method has the advantage that no excavated material and therefore no disposal costs are incurred. This conserves resources and is ideal for the contaminated soils found on the construction site. The full displacement method also means that no pathways are created in impermeable layers (groundwater cover layers) during the construction of the columns, so that groundwater protection is also guaranteed. Passive gas drainage and gas sealing of the hall floor also prevent the ingress of landfill gas.

Criteria for a DGNB Gold certificate fulfilled

The reuse of existing resources and implementation of modern environmental technologies also help to protect valuable natural resources, reduce environmental pollution and promote sustainable development opportunities. The property meets the criteria for a gold certificate from the DGNB and has a photovoltaic system and air heat pumps.

Good transport connections

The elaborate site preparation also proves to be worthwhile in view of the location at GVZ Bremen, Europe's largest freight center and the fourth largest container hub in Northern Europe. Located in a specially designated industrial area, the park is accessible around the clock and can be easily reached by public transport in the university city with a population of almost 600,000. The property is located directly at the A27/A1 highway junction and offers attractive transport links to Bremen city center, the northeast and the west of Germany. Thanks to its location, the park is also uniquely networked with the (wind) energy sector. Almost the entire value chain is covered with research, development, service and maintenance in Bremen and Bremerhaven.

Alexander Hund, Managing Director of CTP Germany, explains: "We believe that the renewal of brownfield sites is the best solution for many regions in Germany. This applies in particular to high-quality locations and also when the preparation is challenging. This was the case with CTPark Bremen and we are therefore particularly pleased to receive this award."

Lars Satthoff, Construction Director Region North at CTP Germany, adds: "With the CTPark Bremen, we have not only realized our first construction project on German soil; we have also succeeded in upgrading a geologically difficult area in an exemplary manner, both in terms of economic aspects and sustainability. As a partner in this success, Goldbeck International was involved as the executing company, and we would like to thank them for their excellent cooperation."