Hamburg Olympics: Bid, vote and opportunities for the Hanseatic city

Why is OTTO WULFF clearly positioning itself in favor of Hamburg's bid for the Olympics?
Stefan Wulff: In my view, an Olympic bid is a real opportunity for Hamburg. The Games could provide important impetus for the city, particularly through investment in infrastructure and housing construction.
Of course, as a construction company, we also hope to be involved in relevant projects. However, this is not the decisive reason for our support. A successful bid offers Hamburg the opportunity to reposition itself internationally and to be perceived as a modern and future-oriented metropolis. We should seize this opportunity as a city and as a society.

What advantages and opportunities do you see for urban development?
Wulff: In my view, Hamburg's urban development will benefit greatly. We will need additional hotel capacity and will have to create more living space in the future, as this demand exists anyway, regardless of the Olympics. I can therefore well imagine that we will be able to tackle the urgently needed new issues in urban development by taking a holistic view as part of the Olympic bid. In addition, popular sport will be strengthened by investing in sports facilities - which will benefit everyone in our city.

Do you also see risks?
Wulff: Of course, risks cannot be ignored. The city's financial commitment is a key issue. Costs and benefits are difficult to offset against each other in a project of this magnitude, and there is always a certain amount of uncertainty at the end of the day.
In the long term, Hamburg will definitely be perceived much more positively internationally. Hosting the Olympic Games entails extensive investment and increases the attractiveness for companies wishing to locate in Hamburg. The airport will presumably become more attractive for international air traffic.
Not only the city of Hamburg will benefit, but also the metropolitan region. This will also have an impact on many other areas of life. Of course, the financial efforts are immense, as we know from Paris and other cities, but I expect that the numerous positive effects will ultimately result in a positive balance.

Critics warn that projects such as the Olympics cause high costs for local authorities, but the added value does not reach the population. How should we think so that everyone benefits from such a mammoth task?
Wulff: Hamburg has the great opportunity to draw on many existing sports facilities. This means that new major construction sites are not being built everywhere, but the existing public transport network is being further developed and improved. An additional subway line could, for example, connect districts that are not yet optimally connected and create real added value in the long term. Many sports facilities are comparatively close to each other and are easily accessible. If central competitions are held at Grasbrook, for example, existing arenas such as the Volksparkstadion, other established sports facilities and swimming pools can be integrated within easy reach. The proximity to Kiel for water sports is also a clear location advantage. We as a city will benefit from this, I am one hundred percent sure of that.

What role do you think the Olympics will play in Hamburg's international perception?
Wulff: The Olympics would noticeably change Hamburg's international perception. We Hamburg residents often believe that our city already has a strong global presence, but in reality, the city's society has a different opinion than the rest of the world. I believe we can now close this gap. Hamburg will then become even more of an international focus than before.

What responsibility do companies have in such major projects?
Wulff: One thing is clear: everyone involved in the project has to perform and keep to these tight schedules. But this is also an opportunity - an opportunity for everyone involved, including public administration. We sometimes suffer from lengthy approval processes and the fact that things don't move forward. I believe there will be a different way of working together and people will react in a much more goal-oriented way under pressure.

What skills or experience does OW bring to the table?
Wulff: As a construction partner in the city, we are naturally predestined. We have everything it takes: technical know-how, infrastructure expertise, residential construction and the renovation and modernization of existing facilities. We have urban development and project development expertise that we can contribute. With FMHH, we can also look after, administer and manage the properties that are built.

The Olympics always create a wide variety of infrastructure: do you see the greater opportunities for project development or for construction at OTTO WULFF?
Wulff: I actually see the greater opportunities for construction, because a lot has to be built very quickly. We will certainly play a role if the application is successful in the end. But first of all, everyone has to take part in the public vote. That is the first step. After that, we have to vote "yes" together if we are in favor of the Olympics.