Wandsbek District

Hamburg’s Wandsbek District is testing three sharing stations across three locations, each tailored to the needs of its neighbourhood and user groups. Together, the pilots aim to expand access to shared equipment, promote healthy and sustainable lifestyles, and strengthen social participation. By situating the pilot stations in residential areas, care facilities, and public parks, Hamburg Wandsbek is exploring how different sharing models can support climate goals, local wellbeing, and smarter use of community spaces.

The three pilots will be stationed at three separate sites within the district: 

• Hamburg-Rahlstedt: A residential area recently upgraded with playgrounds, urban gardens, and small sports courts. A SportBox will be installed on privately owned land within the residential area’s courtyard complex. This ensures long-term stability (by avoiding constraints often faced in public spaces) and close proximity to everyday neighbourhood activity.
• Hospital zum Heiligen Geist: A Sharing Box will be installed on the grounds of a large nursing and care home with 1,000 residents and 600 staff. The location benefits from an established neighbourhood management office that serves as a central community hub.
• Tegelsbarg–Müssenredder: A second sport sharing station will be placed in a newly redesigned neighbourhood park, adjacent to calisthenics equipment, fitness areas, basketball courts, and soccer pitches. This placement supports spontaneous outdoor activity and was selected in coordination with city spatial planning departments.

These three locations allow Hamburg to test how sharing stations function in residential environments, community care facilities, and public leisure spaces.

Wandsbek is testing both single-purpose (sports-only) and multipurpose (tools, appliances, leisure items) sharing stations, each with slightly different models and items. 

• Rahlstedt-Ost SportBox: A digital locker system providing free access to sports equipment such as balls, skipping ropes, frisbees, resistance bands, and outdoor games, designed to promote daily physical activity close to home.
• Hospital zum Heiligen Geist Sharing Box and Swap Box: The Sharing Box will allow care home residents and neighbouring communities to borrow leisure items, gardening tools, appliances, and small electronics. The Swap Box will facilitate the exchange of books, household items, and electronic devices. This hybrid model supports both structured borrowing and informal peer-to-peer exchange.
• Tegelsbarg–Müssenredder Sport Sharing Station: This sports-focused sharing station will follow the Rahlstedt concept. It will offer free sports and recreation equipment for residents and park visitors.

Across all three pilots, Hamburg Wandsbek pursues a shared set of ambitions:

Promoting healthy and active lifestyles

• Enable free, easy access to sports equipment to encourage regular exercise.
• Support health equity by offering alternatives to paid or distant facilities.

Strengthening community participation

• Enhance neighbourhood cohesion through shared resources.
• Offer opportunities for social interaction among residents, care home tenants, staff, and park visitors.

Advancing climate and sustainability goals

• Reduce car trips and individual equipment purchases.
• Encourage resource-efficient behaviour and shared use of goods.
• Support the Hamburg Climate Plan, RISE programme, and Integrated Climate Protection Concepts.

Testing new operational models

• Compare digital locker systems, open exchange formats, and multipurpose vs. sports-only concepts.
• Generate insights into placement, user engagement, and long-term feasibility in different neighbourhood contexts.

Together, the pilots form a comprehensive testbed for integrating neighbourhood-based sharing services into Hamburg’s climate, health, and social infrastructure strategies.

The pilot in Rahlstedt-Ost gives us an opportunity to test how a neighbourhood-based sharing station can support both social cohesion and climate goals. By creating free, low-barrier access to sports equipment, we not only encourage more physical activity and outdoor engagement, but also strengthen community life and promote more sustainable everyday habits. It’s a real added value for residents and an important step toward more liveable, climate-friendly neighbourhoods."