International Masterplanning Competition for the Transformation of Winter Harbour Bratislava
International Masterplanning Competition for the Transformation of Winter Harbour Bratislava is now open for entries!
The majority landowner, Public Ports, together with the City of Bratislava, Slovakia, has announced an international two-stage urban planning competition for the transformation of one of the most potential area - Winter Harbour.
Short description
The majority landowner, Public Ports, together with the City of Bratislava, Slovakia, has announced an international two-stage urban planning competition for the transformation of one of the most potential area - Winter Harbour. The competition is organised by the Metropolitan Institute of Bratislava .
The objective is to convert a currently inaccessible, monofunctional, and actively operating logistics and cargo transshipment area into an open, vibrant, and compact urban district in a direct dialogue with the river.
The competition seeks a proposal that most convincingly embodies the public interest and fully activates the site’s potential.
The Winter Harbour has the potential to become a new symbol of Bratislava as a city on the Danube. The competition presents an opportunity to find a solution that brings together industrial heritage, climate resilience, and contemporary urban life into one compelling whole.
Situated on the Danube, linking Vienna and Budapest by water. An industrial site in the wider city centre of Slovakia’s capital. Once a heavily used and noisy cargo port. Currently the largest urban redevelopment site in Bratislava. A place where the past meets the future and where the city’s next chapter is being shaped today.
Winter Harbour is a formerly inaccessible industrial zone is set to become a modern, accessible urban district in the coming years, following the example of other European harbour redevelopments familiar in concept, yet unique in character.
Winter Harbour includes exceptional cultural and industrial heritage, the preservation of which is essential to maintaining the distinctive character of the future urban district.
Individual listed structures such as the Pumping Station (1904), the Boatmen’s House (1940), the oldest tugboat Šturec (1937), and the Ship Lift (1940) together with the harbour cranes, form the unique genius loci of Winter Harbour. These historic and technical structures are an integral part of the area’s identity and also define the distinctive character of the future district.
The masterplanning competition will run from February to October 2026 in two stages. The results of the Stage 2 and the winning design are expected to be published in October 2026. The only communication platform for competition participants and the organiser is the Josephine portal (please follow it for future updates).
Prize:
➜ 1 prize: 135 000 €
➜ 2 prize: 105 000 €
➜ 3 prize: 80 000 €
Among the remaining participants of Stage 2, a total of 90 000 € will be distributed.
Entry fees:
There is no entry fee to participate!
