The Schöneberg Loop

The Schöneberg Loop, Berlin, Germany - © By Lienhard Schulz (Own work) [CC BY-SA 3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

The Schöneberg Loop, Berlin, Germany - ©Martin Schwarz

The Schöneberg Loop, Berlin, Germany - ©By Lienhard Schulz (Own work) [CC BY-SA 3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

The Schöneberg Loop

Status

completed

City

Berlin

Main actors

Local Government, City Government, Private Sector, Community / Citizen Group

Project area

Inner City

Duration

2010 - 2017

Through the so-called “Schöneberg Loop” (Schöneberger Schleife), Berlin is striving to expand the network of different urban spaces located in the area of "Südkreuz". Designed as a green trail, the Schöneberg Loop creates a eco-friendly corridor connecting the south of Berlin with the city centre.

The area located around the Südkreuz station in Berlin is characterized by many transport axes that isolate the adjacent residential and industrial zones from their direct environment. The aim of the Schöneberg Loop is to better connect the different neighborhoods situated in that area through the construction of additional foot, bicycle and skater paths that form an east-west corridor. The project also strives to improve the accessibility of the Südkreuz-neighborhoods to existing green areas in the city such as the “Park am Gleisdreieck”, the “Schöneberger Südgelände” and the “Tempelhofer Feld”. The construction of a new bike path directly linking the Südkreuz-area to the “Potsdamer Platz”, one of Berlin’s most important hubs, the new north-south corridor will also improve the accessibility to the city centre. Additionally, it will help complete an important section of the national Berlin-Leipzig bicycle track.

The Schöneberg Loop will improve the living environment of Berlin residents and facilitate the access to green areas and outdoor leisure activities. The project fosters the inclusion of existing green spaces in their urban context and includes the development of new ones. Through compensation measures, the private sector has been asked to co-finance the construction of some infrastructure and social facilities. The Schöneberg Loop has been largely financed by the national program “Stadtumbau West” (“Urban Restructuring in West Germany”).

For further information about the case study, click here.

Sustainable Development Goals

City information

City

Berlin, Germany

Size and population development

In 2019, the municipality of Berlin had a population of 3,669,491 inhabitants, making it the most populous city in the European Union (EU). The larger metropolitan area has about 5 million inhabitants.

Population composition

According to estimations, about one third of Berlin’s population was foreign born or has a migratory background. These inhabitants originate from other parts of the EU—such as Poland, Italy or Bulgaria—as well as from countries outside of the EU, such as Syria, Vietnam or the United States of America. The largest non-native population comes from Turkey: In 2019, more than 107,000 Turkish nationals were registered as inhabitants of Berlin.

Main functions

Berlin is the capital and largest city of Germany. As a city-state it is also one of the country’s 16 Länder, as the federal states are called in Germany. Situated approximately 112 miles (180 km) south of the Baltic Sea, the city lies in the wide glacial valley of the Spree River, which runs through Berlin’s centre. The city extends over an area of 891.7 square kilometres and stands at an average altitude of 34 meters above sea level. After the reunification of Germany and East and West Berlin in 1990, the unified Berlin was re-established as the country’s capital (replacing Bonn, the former capital of West Germany). In 1999, large parts of the Federal Government and the German Bundestag finally moved back to Berlin. Berlin is a city of great historical significance, which becomes evident considering the amount of historical landmarks that visualize the city’s history. Some of the most important landmarks include the Brandenburg Gate (built in 1793), the Reichstag Building (which dates to 1884), remnants of the Berlin Wall (taken down on the 9th of November 1989) or the Holocaust memorial (inaugurated in 2003). Berlin is also a famous cultural hub, known for its world-class museums, theatres, operas and concert halls as well as its vibrant club scene and street art. Finally, the Brain City Berlin is a leading location for science and research. It is home to a number of prestigious universities such as the Freie Universität Berlin, the Humboldt Universität zu Berlin and the Technische Universität Berlin, with more than 35,000 students each as well as renowned research institutions and think tanks.

Main industries / business

As the fourth largest economy of the world, Germany has a wide array of prestigious industries. Berlin is home to a diverse mix of economic activities: state-owned enterprises, creative industries, automotive manufacturers, (digital) media corporations, high-tech and telecommunication companies as well as multiple digital pioneers that flourish in the city’s vibrant start-up scene. Tourism is constantly growing and brings about 14 million visitors (2019) to the city every year.

Sources for city budget

Berlin draws its budget for public expenditure largely from taxes, federal transfers, fees, fines and operating revenues. It is spent not only to provide high quality public services, but also to boost the city’s private sector, civil society engagement and cultural life.

Political structure

The city-state Berlin is governed by the Berlin Senate, which is comprised of 10 senators, and the Governing Mayor. As the capital of Germany, Berlin hosts the Bundesregierung (federal government), the Bundestag (federal parliament) and the Bundesrat (the parliamentary chamber of the 16 Länder). Each of the 16 Länder has a representation in Berlin. On many political issues, the Länder have co-legislative powers vis-à-vis the Federal government. Moreover, Berlin hosts embassies from more than 120 countries from around the world.

Administrative structure

Berlin is administrated by the Senate and its 12 districts or boroughs (Bezirke). The Senate is the city’s central administration, in charge of city planning, public policy, and the regulation of public and private spheres. The district administrations have some decentralized public functions, with reasonable differences between the various localities.

Website

http://www.berlin.de

Background and objectives

Located in the south of Berlin, the Südkreuz-area is very well connected in an urban and regional context. However, the internal connections between the different parts constituting that area were considered insufficient at the beginning of the urban renewal plans. Moreover, the connection to Berlin’s centre was only satisfactory using the public transport system. In order to reduce insularity in the Südkreuz-area, an overarching development strategy has been planned.

The Schöneberger Loop has been developed as the central project for connecting urban spaces in the area of Südkreuz. It forms a path network composed of green, sport and playground areas that link the Schöneberger island with the rest of the city to create an east-west and a north-south green corridor. The Schöneberg Loop forms a path connecting the “Südgelände” and “Gleisdreieck” parks up to Potsdamer Platz and provides access to additional green spaces for the neighboring residential areas.

Implementation

Since 2009, as part of the Schöneberg Loop project, Grün Berlin (a non-profit and state-owned organisation) has been working with the districts of Tempelhof-Schöneberg and Friedrichshain-Kreuzberg and with the Senate Department for Urban Development and the Environment on various projects dedicated to parks and green spaces. Many areas were former Reichsbahn (the former German railway transport company) terrains that had been partly abandoned since the war. Since species-rich habitats have emerged, it has been decided to leave most of the area largely as it was found.

The main projects of the Schöneberg Loop include:

1) North-South green corridor: South section from O-W Spange to Bhf. Südkreuz (2010-2012)

The first project of the Schöneberg loop was a 450 meter long pathway along the S-Bahn line 2 in the south. The road is now part of the cycle route Berlin - Leipzig.

2) Alfred-Lion-Brücke (2010-2012)

Neu-Tempelhof, a neighbourhood in Berlin, is separated by large railway facilities from the Schöneberger island opposite. A pedestrian and cycle bridge built in 2012 now connects the two districts. This bridge is at the heart of the east-west green corridor and both local residents and walking and cycling visitors benefit from the barrier-free connection.

3) Wannsee railway green corridor (2015-2016)

The Wannsee railway green corridor is located in a densely populated urban area of Schöneberg between the Julius-Leber-Brücke and Yorckstraße train stations. It has been built as a new route between both stations. As a public green space, the Wannsee railway green corridor is expected to compensate for the lack of close-to-home green areas and playgrounds.

In 2013, after examining the general and technical feasibility, the landscape planning phase commenced with cooperation between the citizens, the administration and landscape planners. The process took place in three phases: 1) preliminary talks – 2) "Ideas" Workshop ("Ideenwerkstatt") - 3) Planning Workshop.

During preliminary talks in September 2013, the planners collected feedback from citizens which was subsequently discussed during the two "Ideas" Workshops that took place in November 2013. One of these was specifically designed for children and young people. Together, the participants discussed which issues were particularly important, what has to be observed during the planning process and which existing ideas could be taken on. In May 2014, the proposals refined by the landscape planners were presented at a public exhibition.

4) Monumentenplatz (2014)

The Monumentenplatz forms an attractive transition from the urban space to the green network of the Schöneberg Loop. The new area comprises 18 houses, 220 apartments and three commercial units. From street level, a stair and ramp system leads down to the square area and then further north into the Flaschenhalspark, which forms the southern end of the "Park am Gleisdreieck". This was co-financed by the developer UTB GmbH under an urban development contract. UTB GmbH and the District administration also contributed to the funding of the square, while the majority of the funds came from the Urban Restructuring in West Germany program.

5) Green corridor in the area of the Dresden railway along the Bautzener Straße (2012-2013)

The Schöneberg Loop can be reached from Bautzener Straße, on the new north-south green corridor, where a four-meter wide path for pedestrians and cyclists has been built. North of the Monumentenbrücke, the green corridor expands parklike. Access to the Schöneberg Loop is gained by stairs or a ramp. The former railway facilities as well as ruderal species have been preserved while play and sport areas for children and adults have been built. The northern part of the new trail was opened on December 5, 2013.

6) Torgauer Straße (2012-2015)

The Torgauer Straße is located at the southern end of the Schöneberg Loop. The area includes equipment for exercise training, balance and mobility activities. A small plateau with seats marks the former path of a railway line. Mobility impaired visitors can move around safely on the main routes: road crossings and bike paths are made visible and equipped with tactile elements.

Financing and resources

The foot, bicycle and skater paths were largely financed with support of the Urban Restructuring in West Germany program (“Stadtumbau West”), an urban regeneration funding initiative initiated by the German Federal Government and the states government in 2004. The program is a central source of funding for urban renewal projects in the old federal states of Germany. The Schöneberg Loop has also received the support of the European Union through the EFRE financing program.

The Urban Restructuring program has contributed finance to the following projects:

North-South green corridor: South section from O-W Spange to Bhf. Südkreuz (2010-2012):566,000 EUR
Alfred-Lion-Brücke (2010-2012): 3.44 Mio. EUR
Wannsee railway green corridor (2015-2016):2.60 Mio. EUR
Monumentenplatz (2014): 1.10 Mio. EUR, davon 870.000 EUR aus dem Programm Stadtumbau West
Green corridor in the area of the Dresden railway along the Bautzener Straße (2012-2013): 1.42 Mio. EUR
Torgauer Straße (2012-2015): 3.3 Mio. EUR

Results and impacts

Many sections of the Schöneberg Loop are now completed and widely used. Other sections are in the planning and bulding stage. Running largely on intact or disused railway lines of the former north-south railway line, the new trail appears as an attractive route for residents and visitors alike. Along the way, many new sports, games and green areas have been activated. Existing parks and sports facilities are interconnected by the green corridor. This green way, designed as a barrier-free zone, is also part of the national cycling route Berlin-Leipzig.

Lessons learned and transferability

Depending on the size of their land plot, investors had to pay for compensatory measures at Potsdamer Platz. As a result, the City of Berlin was able to plan and finance the construction of public infrastructure in the area.

The reunification of Germany in 1990 has also played an important role in the project. In the course of the reunification, the City of Berlin bought unused terrains from the German railway company “Deutsche Bahn” that would lately form the “Park am Gleisdreieck“.

The north-south green corridor together with the Flaschenhalspark and the Park am Gleisdreieck will be presented at the International Horticultural Exhibition (IGA) 2017.

References

- Der Tagesspiegel. 2016. Nord-Süd-Grünzug; Ein grünes Band durch Berlin. [ONLINE] Available at:http://www.tagesspiegel.de/wirtschaft/immobilien/nord-sued-gruenzug-ein-gruenes-band-durch-berlin/13737204.html. [Accessed 21 October 2016].

- Berliner Woche. 2014. Teilstück der Schöneberger Schleife offiziell eingeweiht. [ONLINE] Available at:http://www.berliner-woche.de/schoeneberg/bauen/teilstueck-der-schoeneberger-schleife-offiziell-eingeweiht-d48439.html. [Accessed 21 October 2016].

- Berliner Morgenpost. 2015. Öffentlicher Grünzug an der Schöneberger Schleife eröffnet. [ONLINE] Available at: http://www.morgenpost.de/bezirke/tempelhof-schoeneberg/article141668735/Oeffentlicher-Gruenzug-an-der-Schoeneberger-Schleife-eroeffnet.html. [Accessed 21 October 2016].

- Grün Berlin Gruppe. 2016. Nord-Süd-Grünzug - Das übergeordnete Projekt: Nord-Süd-Grünzug. [ONLINE] Available at: https://gruen-berlin.de/projekt/nord-sued-gruenzug. [Accessed 21 October 2016].

- Senate Department for Urban Development and the Environment. 2016. Schöneberg-Südkreuz Wettbewerb EUROPAN 9 - Schöneberger Schleife. [ONLINE] Available at:http://www.stadtentwicklung.berlin.de/staedtebau/foerderprogramme/stadtumbau/Wettbewerb-EUROPAN-9-Schoeneberger-Schleife.4092.0.html. [Accessed 21 October 2016].

- Stadtumbau West. 2016. Stadtumbau West. [ONLINE] Available at:http://www.stadtumbauwest.de/exwost-en.html. [Accessed 21 October 2016].