The Elbe caused major floods every two years. These floods represented a major element in the design of this project. The designers actually planned that a certain part of HafenCity would be flooded for a few hours and that others parts would remain dry. This way-of-thinking is particularly refreshing! Authorities and designers have accepted, in a way, the superiority of nature. A huge step has been taken from the post-war ideology in which the man was sure to be able to control everything (light, freshness, heat), regardless of the nature.