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Resistance in the countryside: Späthsfelde is threatened with housing construction chaos!
Treptow-Köpenick: Resistance to Senate plans for 4,000 apartments in Späthsfelde. Focus on ecological concerns and lack of infrastructure.
Resistance in the countryside: Späthsfelde is threatened with housing construction chaos!
In southeast Berlin, the Senate is planning a new urban quarter on the Späthsfelde site, which will include up to 4,000 apartments. The project met with resistance from the Treptow-Köpenick district and BUND Berlin, who emphasized the ecological benefits of the area and pointed out inadequate infrastructure. The area covers an area of around 100 hectares and is characterized by allotment gardens, meadows and agricultural areas. The complex ownership situation makes the realization of the project considerably more difficult, as part of the site belongs to the state of Berlin, while the rest is in private hands, as entwicklungsstadt.de reports.
At a BUND information event on October 7th, it became clear that the district does not want to support housing construction in Späthsfelde. District councilor Claudia Leistner (Greens) expressed concerns about transport connections and the high traffic on the roads in the area. In addition, the district believes the area is a potential compensation area for other construction projects. The BUND speaks out vehemently against the project and warns of the loss of valuable urban nature and the risk of further sealing of the area.
Ecological concerns and citizen mobilization
The campaign “Save green spaces – heat protection now!” BUND calls for greater protection for green spaces in the city. In addition, the BUND and the tenants' association advocate implementing residential projects on already sealed areas instead of building in ecologically valuable areas. Verena Fehlberg from BUND emphasized the importance of green spaces for heat protection and called for alternative locations for construction activities. This is underpinned by the concerns of residents such as 75-year-old allotment gardener Brigitte Blockhaus, who fears for the survival of her allotment garden, as nd-aktuell.de reports.
The discussion about this project resulted in a broad mobilization of citizens. Another part of the problem is the potential impairment of groundwater, which Christian Schweer from the Berlin Water Network addressed in his warnings. The Senate administration emphasizes that investigations into the pollution of the soil and groundwater are part of the planning.
Outlook for upcoming decisions
On October 15th, the Senate administration is scheduled to present revised plans for the Späthsfelde project. Protest actions have been announced as residents and environmental associations continue to fight to preserve the natural areas. The conflict in Späthsfelde is an example of the challenges facing Berlin's urban development in times of housing shortages and the climate crisis.