Urban Planning

Spatial development potential is limited in the dynamically growing City of Berlin. High-rise buildings can therefore help to deal with the sustained high demand for land for apartments, offices, trade, infrastructure and culture.

In view of the special urban planning significance and major presence of high-rise buildings in the cityscape, the High-Rise Building Model for Berlin, passed by the Senate on 25/02/2020 is intended to achieve a balance between the interests of the property market and the wishes and needs of Berlin’s citizens.

With its ten planning principles, the High-Rise Building Model defines quality requirements as a guideline for high-rise building projects in Berlin. As integral parts of integrated urban development, high-rise buildings should have high urban planning and architectural qualities. They should also generate added value for the surrounding area and the community through innovative, sustainable use concepts. Implementation of these planning principles requires a participative, quality-assuring planning process in four phases: from the project idea to drawing up the concept and the planning and design through to the implementation.

The short version of the High-Rise Building Model is also available in English to download.