Project management for the Federal Horticultural Show 2011 in Koblenz

The Federal Horticultural Show 2011 (Bundesgartenschau, BUGA) opened in Koblenz on April 15, 2011. From now until October, the public can enjoy 480,000 square meters of horticultural and architectural highlights - the equivalent of 67 football fields. Drees & Sommer undertook multiproject management of the 34 subprojects - most of which were running in parallel - and ensured punctual completion in time for the opening. The experts also supported the City of Koblenz in finding a suitable company for the construction and operation of the BUGA cable car which - at a length of 850 meters - is the largest of its kind outside the Alps. The contract was awarded to Doppelmayr Seilbahnen GmbH.

In the lead-up to BUGA 2011, extensive construction projects were realized in Koblenz to make a lasting contribution to enhancing the quality of life in the city. These included inner-city transport routes including supply and disposal services, the upgrade of the Rhine West Bank (Konrad Adenauer Ufer) with rehabilitation of the embankment and ferry terminals, a noise abatement wall, and construction of the Koblenz Central station without interruption to rail traffic.

The project comprised 34 subprojects, most of which were implemented in parallel. The project managers made use of a tried and tested software application to coordinate the numerous interfaces and used sophisticated critical path analysis to show both the construction process for each individual project and the complex interdependencies. In this way the experts provided the basis for smooth implementation at the various construction sites. This included, for example, the completion of numerous riverside construction projects which posed a huge logistical challenge as a result of being strung out along the river like a pearl necklace. A single change to any construction project - either in terms of schedule or location - had a direct impact on all other projects. Another key responsibility in this area was diversion of traffic and provision of access to buildings.

The cable car - which transports passengers across the Rhine to the Ehrenbreitstein fortress and back - was also part of the overall project. The cable car climbs some 120 meters up to the fortress, providing an ecological alternative to shuttle buses.  Drees & Sommer played a key role in finding a suitable company for construction and operation of the cable car. The project managers not only undertook moderation between the individual project participants, but also undertook pan-European prequalification of bidders. In autumn 2008, the contract for construction and operation of the cable car until 2013 was awarded to Doppelmayr Seilbahnen GmbH.

Download this press release
PDF
Photos