Case Studies  The Karolinenviertel Case in Hamburg - St. Pauli

Partnerships in the Karolinenviertel

At first you have to distinguish between institutionalised and project oriented partnerships on administrative and local level. The different levels are being described more closely in the following:

Partnerships on administrative level in the entire city and on the district-level

• On administrative level the institutionalised partnership between the Ministry for Construction and Traffic (BBV) and STEG represents the central co-operation. The BBV places and STEG takes the orders. The objectives, instruments, tasks and contents of the partnership are being regulated in a contract which is being annually newly negotiated. The power and leading role and therefore the steering lays with the BBV. As expert-authority BBV follows federal laws and picks up the political objectives and let them influence its own programmes. STEG’s task is to carry out these orders. In the end BBV is the most powerful institution for urban redevelopment since it has the financial resources and legal control of decision at its disposal.

• The relationship between the Local Authority (District Authorities) and STEG is just as institutionalised. The Local Authority as well is directed by politics. But the objectives on district level do not have to match the objectives on entire city level. The Local Authority is primarily an approval authority and preserves local interests. BBV can overrule the Local Authority if conflicts or differences occur or can pull decisions of entire city interest towards its authority. In the redevelopment process subject to this case-study the Local Authority does not have any financial resources at its disposal but has the legal approval competence.

• Project oriented partnerships can as well be developed by the STEG with other expert authorities and departments. STEG has developed the start-up ‘Floor 21’ out of its own initiative and attracted public means from the Ministry of Economics for this project. Although the Ministry of Economics does not promote especially small business developments the project was compatible with the objectives and could therefore be sponsored. BBV and the Local Authority as well had to be included into this process since they have the authority to decide over all projects in the area and have to be participated.

3.5. Role of the entrepreneurs    3.7. Balance of power within the partnerships