Urban Development Concept Berlin 2030: Status Report: Conclusions

The interrelation of functional and spatial location is increasing. Growth is a positive impulse, yet one that can also increase competition over use. Moreover, the demands and expectations of stakeholders in the urban community to co-design and co-determine the planning processes are rising. The most significant limiting factor for Berlin is its financial state. On the whole, the need for effective management of Berlin’s urban development is ever more pressing. The following factors deserve particular emphasis.

Strengths

• polycentric spatial orientation as a defining element of Berlin is also reflected institutionally (districts, associations, diverse neighbourhood organisations, regional cooperations)
• Berlin enjoys a high degree of voluntary involvement

Weaknesses

• tight administrative resources in terms of personnel and funding
• urban development instruments can only partially address today’s situation and future challenges (e.g. low flexibility)
• funding instruments are not fully coordinated with the spatial realm
• poor cooperation between senate and districts on city-wide issues

Opportunities

• use of large-scale infrastructural investments for functional and creative upvaluation of urban areas, possibilities to combine with additional urban development measures
• development of a culture of participation, enhanced participation of civil society, and thus increased attention to the needs and wellbeing of citizens
• enhanced cooperation within administration
• the Urban Development Concept Berlin 2030 offers context for justifying the use of funding
• Real estate policy can be used more effectively for urban development, links with the Urban Development Concept Berlin 2030 strategies
• Thematic cooperation on numerous planning concepts and across administrative levels

Threats

• lack of prioritisation and profiling in the development of urban areas
• low management capacity by the public sector, e.g. under continually financially strained conditions
• neglect of infrastructure maintenance due to financial strain
• w growing uncertainties relating to dependence on global developments (financial and economic crises, security situation, etc.)
• growing dependence on “outside financing”