An overview of the environmental management dimensions of current and future conflicts in the use of the River Elbe in Hamburg

This paper provides an overview of the environmental management dimensions of current and future conflicts in the use of the River Elbe in Hamburg, Germany. The Elbe River catchment area is described and an overview of the Hanseatic City of Hamburg with some of the characteristic figures regarding social and economic activities is be given, followed by a short description of the Elbe River within the borders of Hamburg. Some of the environmental management problems encountered in Hamburg are described and conflicts regarding the management of the Elbe River in Hamburg are listed. The paper provides some conclusions on how to improve the environmental conditions of the River Elbe in Hamburg, taking the social, economic, and political development of the region into consideration.