Urban design architect Po-Chun Hsieh on Berlins new transportation vision

The Friedrichshain-Kreuzberg district office has launched the Bergmannstraße project to strengthen the "Kiezblock" concept. The concept aims to reduce through traffic in individual neighborhoods and make the street space accessible as green and recreational areas for residents. Interestingly, there are very few pedestrian zones in Berlin, even though people greatly appreciate outdoor activities. The existing squares, such as Alexanderplatz, are completely paved and hardly offer visitors any added value that invites them to linger and enjoy.

Bergmannstraße is the heart of the Bergmannkiez in Kreuzberg. It offers the residents of the neighborhood a variety of grocery stores, drugstores and the popular Marheineke market hall. At the same time, it attracts many visitors with its numerous specialized stores and a wide selection of restaurants. For this reason, we want to further develop the concept of a pedestrian zone and offer users a new, park-like experience. Our aim is to create a street where shopping and eating is not just about efficiency, but also about relaxation and the feeling of being part of nature in the middle of the city. Bergmannstrasse should be a pedestrian-friendly street that both meets the needs of the neighborhood and enhances the charm for visitors.

The design is based on ideas that were previously developed in several public workshops and further developed by the street and green space department. The focus is on three main elements: green, unsealed areas that meander through the street with gentle elevations and are the main feature of the design. The road surface is designed to be permeable and extends the greenery to the sidewalk. On the one hand, this green band frames the pedestrian zone and forms a gentle barrier to the adjacent cycle path. On the other hand, it drains rainwater and provides a home for insects.

The green ribbon is accompanied by water channels. This is the second element. The channels use the natural gradient of the different sections, which means that the water flows faster in Schenkendorfstraße and slower in Bergmannstraße. This creates a kind of water playground and the fountains at the beginning and the pools at the end can serve as meeting points. This also contributes to the climate-resilient design of the city, as evaporative cooling in public spaces is becoming increasingly important in a heated city.

Bicycle lanes are another key element. In order to create a lively neighborhood without car traffic, the bicycle is the essential means of transport. By staggering the cycle lanes laterally, a safe cycle lane can be created on the one hand and a large area for greenery and outdoor catering on the other. The bicycle lanes are also connected to the Friedrichshain-Kreuzberg district's bicycle road network.

The biggest challenge was to create enough space for delivery traffic without changing the width of the sidewalks. Even if vehicle traffic is restricted to the morning and evening hours in future, this requires a stable, predominantly paved surface. However, this restricts the width of the unsealed areas.

That is the crucial question. The planning of Bergmannstrasse actually works like a network plan. As mentioned at the beginning, the project is not just about creating a single active street. It is a gateway to the neighborhood and at the same time its - future greener - center.

Bergmannstrasse is the first level, heavily frequented by stores and bicycles: this is where people meet, surrounded by greenery, to eat and shop. The side streets such as Schenkendorfstraße and Solmsstraße form the second level of traffic. Bicycles ride less frequently and more slowly here. Children can play carefree in these areas without having to be supervised. The third level is formed by the streets that lead into the actual parks and existing playgrounds, such as Marheinekeplatz and Chamissoplatz.

To achieve this, it is important to understand that the Bergmannstrasse project is part of a concept for a neighborhood relieved of through traffic. Together with an ecological pedestrian zone, this new planning increases the green space and creates an uninterrupted green space in the center of the neighborhood. The streets will be transformed from a car-centered design into a pedestrian-friendly, safe and pleasant living environment. As extreme climates become the norm, a greener and more water-permeable streetscape is essential for cities.

The Bergmannstrasse project is still in an interim phase. The district office has already started to implement the traffic control concept by limiting through traffic with temporary signs and planters. However, without an integrated redesign, the new system is still being ignored. A lot of money is needed for a permanent transformation, but not all of it is currently available. The actual redesign of Bergmannstrasse could be years away. That is why it is important to implement at least parts of the concept - even with provisional means.

Representatives of local businesses fear that a car-free street could attract fewer customers. However, this concern is unfounded, as experience from other traffic calming concepts shows. Moreover, most visitors to Bergmannstrasse do not come by car anyway. Cafés and stores that offer a view of an open green space and a playground have a special charm and will certainly attract more potential visitors in the long term. It is important to communicate these arguments and objectively dispel people's concerns. So there is still some convincing to be done here.

Thank you very much for the exciting insights into the project!

In conversation were Janina Zogass (polisMOBILTIY) and Po-Chun Hsieh, Project Manager GEWERS PUDEWILL. You can find more information about Berlin KIEZBLOCKS in our article