Urban Development
Senate unlocks new housing potential in three boroughs
Berlin Zoning Plan 2015: Five Amendments for Housing
In June 2015, Berlin's Senate approved five amendments to the city's zoning plan, from former nursery grounds in Zehlendorf to the Humboldt Hospital site in Reinickendorf.
Peter Guthmann
Five plan amendments at a glance
In June 2015, Berlin's Senate amended the city's land use plan (Flaechennutzungsplan) in five locations. The goal: open up brownfield sites for housing construction. The amendments primarily affected Steglitz-Zehlendorf, Reinickendorf, and Mitte.
The land use plan defines the designated use (residential, commercial, transport, or green space) for the entire city. Each amendment is therefore a fundamental decision about future land use.
Zehlendorf: former nurseries become residential land
At Sundgauer Strasse / Schlettstadter Strasse in Zehlendorf, former horticultural land was rezoned for new apartments. These disused nursery grounds were a typical example of untapped potential in established residential areas. Rezoning them allowed infill development without having to open up peripheral locations.
Reinickendorf: Humboldt Hospital becomes housing
In Reinickendorf, the Senate released land at Teichstrasse on the former Humboldt Hospital grounds for residential construction. The site was centrally located, well connected, and already had infrastructure in place. Repurposing former hospital sites was a common pattern in Berlin during the 2010s: many had become available after mergers and offered good conditions for families thanks to public transit access and existing amenities.
Zehlendorf: a startup center instead of housing
Not all amendments were about housing. At the former US Hospital on Fabeckstrasse in Steglitz-Zehlendorf, a technology and startup center was planned. Proximity to the Freie Universitaet Berlin made the location well suited for science-related ventures.
Building Senator Geisel on updating the plan
Building Senator Andreas Geisel commented: "Berlin is growing and changing constantly. That is why it is important to keep updating the land use plan and adapting it to changing conditions. This is how we create the prerequisites to achieve our planning goals for more housing, economic growth, and the strengthening of borough centers."
For real estate investors, the plan amendments signaled potential project developments in the affected neighborhoods. Market activity in these areas was stimulated by the new construction.