Herthaplatz in Niederschönhausen: New shine for the green meeting point!

Herthaplatz in Niederschönhausen: New shine for the green meeting point!

The ceremonial reopening of the redesigned Herthaplatz in Niederschönhausen took place on October 14, 2025. In the presence of district councilor Manuela Anders-Granitzki, the square was handed over to its new purpose after it had been extensively redesigned. With the aim of creating a modern, lively and green urban space, numerous measures were taken to significantly improve the quality of stay. The redesign, which began in November 2024 and lasted until October 2025, cost a total of around 898,000 euros and was financed by the Berlin Places Program of the Senate Department for Urban Development, Building and Housing.

As part of the redesign, the existing lawns were restored and the old trees and old rose bushes were preserved. In addition, ten climate-resilient trees and roses were planted. A central element of the redesign is a magnolia, which is surrounded by a round bench and forms the focal point of the meeting area. The surroundings of this magnolia consist of insect-friendly and drought-resistant new plantings, which contribute to the sustainable goals of urban development.

Entry into the redesign

The initiatives to redesign Herthaplatz began in 2023, when the Pankow district office invited citizen participation. The planned renovations covered an area of ​​2,400 square meters and focused on restoring functionality as a place for meeting and communication. Measures to improve the urban climate and promote sustainability were also taken into account. In a transparent planning process, three public appointments and several pop-up events were offered to inform the population. This participation enables an exchange between planners and citizens, which is seen as essential for successful urban development.

The requirements for sustainable urban development, which are set out in the building code, require a harmonization of social, economic and environmental aspects. Therefore, the preservation and creation of jobs, the creation of healthy living and working conditions as well as the integration of leisure and recreational offerings are central challenges in urban planning. One goal is to develop compact and mixed urban neighborhoods that offer space for both nature and social contacts.

Future prospects

The redesign of Herthaplatz is an example of the successful implementation of these goals and underlines the importance of green spaces in urban areas. In her speech, Manuela Anders-Granitzki emphasized the role of the square as a central place for encounters and relaxation. She emphasized that such spaces help to promote social interaction and increase the quality of life of residents. The city administration and planners hope that the new offerings, such as playing lawns, boules pitches and seating areas, will be well received by the population.

Overall, the redesign of Herthaplatz shows how important it is to integrate environmentally friendly and sustainable concepts into urban development. Such a development aims to not only improve the quality of stay, but also to strengthen social cohesion within the community.

Further information on the subject of urban development and sustainable spatial planning can be found on the website Berlin district office Pankow, the Pankower Allgemeine Zeitung as well as the Federal Environment Agency.