A Recipe for Transforming Bratislava’s Winter Harbour from City architects of Amsterdam and Malmö

The Dutch capital began as a fishing village, whose development was driven by shipping and maritime trade. Amsterdam gradually grew.Today it has approximately 940,000 inhabitants, with 10,000 added each year. Through land reclamation, the sea slowly turned into solid ground, creating a network of islands and canals for which Amsterdam is world-famous.

Amsterdam: From a Fishing Village to a Metropolis

“Living with water is part of our DNA. One third of our country lies below sea level. Building here is very challenging – the soil is soft, marshy, full of fresh and salt water. Our relationship with water governs everything – we manage water levels at 16 different heights. Water is part of the public realm – sometimes you don’t even see it, but it is present everywhere,” begins Paco Bunnik in his account of the Netherlands and Amsterdam.

The waterfront is extremely important. “The entire eastern and northern harbours were once industrial – we are now reclaiming them. New urban districts are emerging, connected to the region and to transport hubs.”

A key development principle is the strategy of cultural anchors. Public cultural buildings were created at strategic locations, such asthe EYE Film Museum, the NEMO Science Museum, a library, a conservatory. These institutions attract people to the area and ensure that the district is alive. “The success of a city is determined by its residents. Companies want to go where young and talented people are,” emphasized Paco Bunnik.

Public space is equally important to architects and urban planners in Amsterdam. Whereas 80% of the waterfront was once inaccessible, today 95% of it is open to the public. In the coming years, two new cycling bridges and a new cycling tunnel will be built – not for cars, but for slow mobility – creating a continuous cycling loop around the city. It is clear which mode of transport is the priority for planners in Amsterdam.

Collaboration with Experts and Attracting Talent

Amsterdam places strong emphasis on collaboration with architects – not only well-known ones, but also young local studios. The city creates frameworks in which young architects can work and contribute to urban development. Many of these projects are already iconic today. “Architecture and infrastructure are not only functional for us, but also aesthetic – bridges and public spaces are designed as works of art,” says the Dutch architect.

Equally important is the mix of uses and housing, with a large share, up to 40%—being social housing. “The system we have works only because of trust. The city, developers, and residents must trust that a long-term, mixed social and ownership model brings value to everyone,” he underlined.

How can such a high share of social housing be achieved? According to Finn Williams, City Architect of Malmö, the strongest tool is land ownership. “If, as a city, you don’t own the land, you need strong housing and affordability policies. And if that’s not possible either, then you have to demonstrate that broader access to the city brings long-term benefits to everyone, including the private sector – not just in sold square meters, but in the quality of the environment that attracts talent.”

Affordable housing is also linked to affordable workspaces. “When old workshops, small factories, and studios are demolished, the roots of the local economy disappear as well. In Malmö, we are now creating a non-profit organization that will manage these spaces outside market logic—in order to preserve space for small businesses, culture, and jobs,” he added.

Malmö: From Factories to Innovation and Sustainability

The story of Malmö is similar to the Dutch one. Sweden’s third-largest city, with nearly 300,000 inhabitants, also emerged by the water and grew thanks to industry and trade. But when heavy industry began to decline, the city declined as well. “The shipbuilding industry collapsed, jobs disappeared, and every attempt to replace it—first with car manufacturing, then wind turbines, gradually failed. Malmö found itself on the brink of bankruptcy. The crane, once the symbol of the city and one of the largest in the world, was dismantled and shipped to South Korea, where it is still known as the ‘Tears of Malmö’,” Finn Williams explained.

At a critical moment came thevisionary mayor Ilmar Reepalu, realizing that the city could no longer rely on industry and proposing a new vision – a transition from an industrial to a knowledge-based economy. “He wanted to change Malmö’s image—from a city of factories to a city of innovation, architecture, and sustainability. The first step was the regeneration of part of the harbour Västra Hamnen (Western Harbour),” Williams added.

The city deliberately used its worst area, a neglected industrial site, as a symbol of change. Diverse buildings were added, along with high-quality public spaces in direct contact with the sea. “It was also a climatically bold location, windy, exposed to rain and waves, but designed with respect for the environment.”

Don’t Demolish, Reuse!

At first, no one wanted to invest in this part of Malmö. Developers rejected the plots, and the city had to almost “force” them to build. Today, the situation is reversed. It is one of the most sought-after districts in all of Scandinavia.

“Of course, it has its downside – housing there is expensive and inaccessible to many – but it shows that a city can change,” Finn explained.

This phase was followed by rapid development of the entire Western Harbour, leading to more generic developments. Despite this, exceptional places emerged – such as a large skatepark built directly on the site of old ship slipways, which still attracts young people from all over Sweden. “This experience taught us that the standard development model to demolish and rebuild is not enough. It took years, from 2005 to 2017, to establish a new approach: preserving and reusing 80% of all existing buildings and materials.”

The city created a “materials bank” – everything that could be dismantled was taken apart and stored in huge warehouses: staircases, steel beams, bricks, cladding, metal panels. These materials are now used in new projects, saving both CO₂ and money. “Our goal is to recycle beauty and the character of the place. It’s not about nostalgia, but about sustainability – both physical and cultural,” Finn emphasized. Massive steel trusses from former ship halls now serve as structural elements in new parks and public spaces. “Children swing on them, slide on them, play. The industrial past has become part of everyday life.”

Making the Local Exceptional

In Malmö, the carbon footprint of every new building is measured and limits have been set. “We found that very tall buildings have twice the footprint of mid-rise ones – so why build towers? Ultimately, it’s also in developers’ interest to build sustainably. Moreover, our goal is not to imitate Amsterdam or other cities, but to create something that can only emerge in Malmö – at the intersection of water, industry, and community.”

Finn Williams emphasizes that this is also the path for Bratislava’s Winter Harbour. “Draw from the place and local specifics that make the Winter Harbour unique, and don’t try to turn it into just another generic city district.”

Paco Bunnik concluded by reminding the audience that the transformation of Amsterdam’s harbours, now a source of inspiration, took 40 years and is still ongoing. “When transforming the Winter Harbour, give yourselves time for planning and preparation, involve the most talented architects and experts, and don’t forget to plan cultural venues, cafés, and lively places so the waterfront becomes a vibrant destination, not just another dull area of housing and offices,” he advised during his lecture in Bratislava.

A Shared Vision and Trust as the Foundation

According to Bunnik, urban culture and urban design must become part of shared public awareness, not just the domain of experts. For this to happen, both the public and private sectors must establish common principles and build trust.

“It starts with evenings like this, jointly searching for a vision of what kind of place should emerge. Based on agreed principles, the city then negotiates with landowners and investors and seeks a balance between local and international perspectives. That’s how a shared identity and values are created.”

PHOTO: Miro Pochyba and Marek Velček