Dispatch from Germany: Barnett Immerses Himself in Europe's Greenest City

Rochester Hills Mayor Bryan Barnett has embarked on a , where he is one of seven elected officials selected to attend a series of special seminars on city planning. It's all part of the German government's "Transatlantic Climate Bridge" initiative, designed to invite U.S. leaders to exchange ideas and success stories. While there, he'll chronicle his trip for Rochester Patch.

Here's his latest installment:

"Today was our busiest day yet.  Fortunately the temperature has cooperated by topping off only in the mid 70s.  While the mid- to upper-80s is not that bad normally, it's nice to have cooler weather, especially since none of the buildings we've visited have had AC and I'm wearing a suit. Well, you catch my
drift.

"We started out with a magnificent tour of a region of the city known as Hafencity.  This is a 157 hectare (no, I don't know the conversion) development along the city's harbor. Hamburg, for the record, is Germany's second-biggest city and Europe's second-busiest port. This is a billion euro, 30-year plan to turn an old dilapidated warehouse district into a residential/retail/business district. The goal is to have 20,000 residents and 45,000 daily workers call Hafencity home.

"We discussed the challenges that are similar in redevelopment (funding) and those that are unique (major tide considerations) between our two communities. We then toured the project about halfway through its development stage

"Next stop was at the International Bauausstellung (IBA) of Hamburg. We were presented with some very forward thinking solutions on how they are dealing with issues of affordable housing, development in wetlands/retention areas, and ways to maximize energy efficiencies.

"The wetland projects were the most interesting in that the ecologists all agreed that by their methods, the wetlands were not only better preserved, but better protected. It was fascinating!

"A quick lunch and then off to the Lichtblick GmbH, a private company that is one of Germany's largest energy companies.  They are leading the way in certain technologies and are ready for commercialization. I am not at liberty to share more details, but I will begin to try and create something like this, MacGyver-style, in my basement when I get home.

"For our traveling Mayors, the next stop was a real treat.  We went to the Hamburg city hall.  Now in Germany, Hamburg, like Berlin, is both a city and a state, so the Mayor is called the "Governing Mayor" and is as much a Governor as he is a mayor.

"The Mayor had just returned the night before from traveling to Washington D.C. with Chancellor Merkel to meet President Obama.  He was a gracious host and actually interrupted a session of Parliament to have us stand and be recognized
in the chambers. He was very pleased to tell us that Hamburg had just been voted Europe's Greenest City.  This is remarkable because the largest visible industry is a huge working port.  He is rumored to be highly probable for consideration for Germany's next chancellor, so I made sure to give him a city pin and video, as well as an invitation to visit Rochester Hills on his next American trip.

We concluded with a lecture from the Port Authority on its role in sustainable development and practices from an eighth story conference room overlooking the harbor.  Again, it was a great learning experience.  Finally, we had dinner at a restaurant on the port. I had asparagus since it is HUGE around here this time of year, as well as the salmon.  It seemed appropriate to have fish in the harbor."

What's next: The mayors board a train for Freiburg early in the morning.  It is a six-hour train ride to the German/Swiss border and Barnett said he is looking forward to what they will see.