Green oasis on Sömmeringsstrasse: Climate protection for Charlottenburg!

Green oasis on Sömmeringsstrasse: Climate protection for Charlottenburg!

From November 11, 2025, Sömmeringsstrasse in Berlin will experience a green transformation. The Roads and Green Spaces Authority has decided to unseal and plant the hard shoulder along the new cycle lane. The measure is preceded by the removal of concrete paving on around 550 square meters, which will be replaced by planting substrate. This project aims to make the district more resilient to the challenges of climate change by creating and maintaining urban green spaces. The removed pavement will be reused for other projects in the district.

In order to promote the growth of street trees, tree slices are connected to form continuous green spaces. This redesign should not only beautify the cityscape, but also actively contribute to climate protection. Measures like these are urgently needed as they help reduce urban heat islands and improve air quality. According to berlin.de, the new area can significantly moderate the climate in its surroundings on hot summer days with a cooling capacity of around 1,035 kWh. This corresponds to the performance of around 50 air conditioning systems.

Coping with heavy rain

Another key aspect of this measure is the ability of the unsailed area to absorb up to 55,000 liters of water during heavy rain, which is equivalent to around 370 bathtubs. This feature relieves pressure on the city's sewage system and helps prevent flooding. Given the increasing frequency of extreme weather events, such adaptation is important for the safety and quality of life of residents. Heat stress areas near the new plant areas are taken into account in the district adaptation concept (BAFOK) in order to further promote urban resilience.

The measures are in line with current scientific findings on the positive effects of green spaces. According to research by the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), green spaces play a crucial role for the urban population. Not only do they provide recreational spaces, but they also function as protection against extreme weather and promote people's general well-being. Interestingly, increasing tree diversity improves the microclimate, which promotes the health of urban residents and reduces negative impacts of climate change.

Long-term benefits for the city

Research has shown that increasing tree cover by at least 30 percent could reduce the annual number of extreme heat hours by nearly 64 percent and annual water runoff by 58 percent. Seen in this light, the planned measures on Sömmeringsstrasse are not only a step towards a more beautiful cityscape, but also an important contribution to improving the overall climate in urban areas. Green spaces are essential to reduce urban heat islands and enable sustainable rainwater infiltration, which is particularly important in a growing city like Berlin.

In summary, it can be said that the redevelopment of Sömmeringsstrasse represents a positive example of urban climate adaptation measures. Committed city planners and scientists are working to make Berlin more climate resilient and to improve living conditions for all citizens, which benefits not only the individual but the entire community. Further information on the positive effects of urban green spaces can be found in the KIT study, which was published in the journals “Sustainable Cities and Society” and “Scientific Reports” (KIT).