Answers to your questions

A neighborhood block is a quiet block between the main roads. All people can move independently and safely through their residential area and there is little to no motorized through traffic. The basic principle here is that the traffic safety of all is more important than the convenience of a few. Traffic control measures such as one-way streets or diagonal barriers at intersections prevent people from taking shortcuts through the neighborhood by car. However, residents, emergency services and delivery traffic can still reach every building. You can read more about Kiezblocks in the brochure “alles super?”, which can be downloaded free of charge here.

Kiezblocks aim to create a safe, quiet and liveable residential environment. Traffic management measures are intended to create more space for people on foot, by bike or other sustainable means of transport, increase road safety and reduce noise and pollutants. Children, the elderly and people with limited mobility benefit in particular. Kiezblocks thus also contribute to Vision Zero.

Kiezblocks are not only aimed at calming traffic on individual streets, but also at the holistic transformation of a neighborhood. Through targeted measures, the entire neighborhood is relieved of through traffic, while access for residents and important services is maintained. The upgrading of the public space is a central component of this.

Neighborhood blocks improve air quality, reduce noise and promote a better quality of life. They create safe spaces for pedestrians, especially for children, the elderly and people with disabilities. They also strengthen the neighborhood and promote sustainable mobility through less car traffic and more space for pedestrians and cyclists. After all, walking is the most important means of transportation for people, as all journeys begin on foot, including those to the car or public transport station.

The road classification stipulates that superordinate main roads are intended for through traffic and ensure the flow of traffic, while secondary roads (often classified as residential streets) are primarily used to access residential areas and should be as traffic-calmed as possible. In these streets, the focus is on a safe and attractive design for pedestrians, cyclists and residents.

The Berlin Mobility Act aims to promote sustainable and environmentally friendly mobility in the city. It provides the basis for the implementation of traffic-calming measures, for the livable design of streets and for strengthening the environmental network (walking, cycling, public transport). The Mobility Act empowers the districts to take measures to calm traffic in residential areas in order to reduce through traffic and thus reduce noise, air pollution and the risk of accidents, while at the same time improving the quality of life in the neighborhoods.

The concept of neighborhood blocks became known through the superblocks in Barcelona. In Berlin, the first neighborhood blocks were promoted by citizens’ initiatives. The Berlin Mobility Act also calls for low-car areas in side streets in residential areas, which should be classified as traffic-calmed as far as possible.

In addition to the current Mobility Act, the Mitte District Assembly (BVV ) has also spoken out in favor of traffic calming measures, which are being examined and implemented by the Roads and Green Spaces Department. Existing integrated traffic concepts also recommend a general traffic calming of certain neighborhoods and in some cases the installation of rows of bollards.

Only a third of residents in Berlin Mitte own a car, but over half have a monthly or annual public transport pass and more than two thirds own a bicycle. Furthermore, the vast majority of public transport stations and stops are within a 10-minute walk.

The majority of people living in the district already make their journeys in a climate-friendly way:

• 34 % on foot,
• 32 % by public transport and
• 22 % by bicycle.

Only 13% of journeys are made by car. (Source: SrV 2018)

However, because the residential streets of the neighborhoods are cut short and driven through, even by people who do not live in Mitte, negative effects such as noise and exhaust fumes are created in the neighborhoods. Through traffic should therefore be reduced in the neighborhoods.

The district office examines each neighborhood in detail. As a first step, the entire Mitte district is divided into individual neighborhoods. The boundaries of the neighborhoods are primarily formed by the main roads and the larger bodies of water (the Landwehr Canal, the Spree and the Spandau Shipping Canal), but in some places also larger green spaces and S-Bahn lines. The neighborhoods are then analyzed on the basis of various criteria. Traffic data is examined, e.g. the amount of through traffic, accident blackspots and the cycling network. Aspects of environmental justice (such as heat and noise pollution or access to green spaces), population density and the location of daycare centers, schools and other social facilities are also considered.

This results in a ranking of the neighborhoods in which the neighborhood blocks need to be implemented most urgently. These are the neighborhoods with the greatest potential for improving the quality of life through traffic calming.

After this initial prioritization, the results of the participation process are also incorporated into the consideration of which neighbourhoods will become neighbourhood blocks. In addition, the Mitte Roads and Green Spaces Office receives inquiries from initiatives and resolutions from the BVV, which are examined.

The demand for a neighborhood block is not equally high in every neighborhood. This may be due to the fact that through traffic is already low. The measures are initially concentrated on the most heavily congested neighborhoods.

Traffic measures are:

• Opposing one-way streets are arranged in such a way that cars are no longer allowed to drive straight through the neighborhood.
• Bicycle lanes prioritize bicycle traffic and restrict motorized traffic.
• Pedestrian zones, i.e. areas reserved exclusively for pedestrians and excluding motorized traffic.
• Traffic-calmed areas (play streets) in which pedestrians have priority and vehicles are only allowed to drive at walking speed.
• Construction measures that slow down the flow of traffic and reduce speed.
• Rows of bollards arranged transversely or diagonally direct motor vehicle traffic at junctions in one direction. As signs with turning instructions are often not sufficiently observed, rows of bollards prevent cars from driving straight ahead, while pedestrians and cyclists can pass the bollards without any problems.

For each location, the measure that promises the greatest effectiveness with limited effort is selected. No kerbs, sleepers or other complex construction measures are necessary.

The neighborhood blocks are to be implemented immediately. However, the success of the measures will be evaluated after a test phase and adjusted if necessary.

Residents can still reach every house in the neighborhood block by car. Only the routes to be taken will change, meaning that their own route may have to be adapted. As it will be less attractive for people from outside the neighborhood to find their way through the neighborhood by car, it is to be expected that through traffic will decrease and the situation for residents will become more relaxed. All buildings will also remain accessible for emergency vehicles, refuse collection, delivery traffic, etc.

A general reduction in parking spaces in public areas is not currently planned as an individual measure. However, public space is limited and individual parking spaces can be reused to increase traffic safety and enable a needs-based design. The priority is to ensure the flow of traffic, including pedestrians, cyclists, public transport, deliveries and commercial traffic. According to the Berlin Mobility Act, priority is given to the environmental alliance, consisting of pedestrian traffic, bicycle traffic and local public transport. As a rule, there are alternative options for parking vehicles on private property or in private parking facilities. Individual parking spaces in public areas can therefore be used for recreational areas, greenery or unsealing measures such as green gullies. Parking spaces for special needs, such as for public transport, delivery traffic or people with limited mobility, are also possible.

No, the traffic regulations will remain as they are for the time being. According to the German Road Traffic Regulations, a traffic-calmed area is a road or traffic area on which, among other things, walking speed applies and pedestrians are allowed to use the entire width of the road to walk and play. Traffic-calmed areas are often associated with major reconstruction measures and are more in line with the “shared space” concept.

All buildings remain accessible for emergency vehicles, refuse collection, delivery traffic, etc.

Rescue vehicles (police and fire department) as well as waste disposal vehicles can not only continue to go anywhere, but also have special rights (§ 35 StVO). They may drive on one-way streets in the opposite direction and also on cycle lanes and use them without restrictions. Removable bollards will be installed for emergency vehicles such as ambulances, police and fire engines, which can be removed if necessary.

Crosswise or diagonally arranged rows of bollards are checked with regard to the turning radii of refuse collection vehicles so that they can turn easily.

Traffic calming and the associated improvement of the residential environment is only possible if shortcuts through the neighborhood are consistently prevented. Even if all areas of the neighborhood can still be reached by car, some residents may still have to travel longer distances by car. However, a _{reduction in CO2 emissions} in urban traffic is not primarily achieved by keeping car journeys as short as possible, but by avoiding car journeys. Kiezblocks therefore deliberately create conditions that encourage people to walk, cycle or use public transport instead of driving. This reduces_{CO2 emissions} overall – even the small new detours for residents’ car traffic do not lead to any significant increase in emissions, as they now make up a small part of the overall route. For the vast majority of road users, the quality of movement in the neighborhood and safety will be improved. This also benefits schools, daycare centers and other social facilities.

The concern that main roads could become more congested as a result of the creation of neighborhood blocks is understandable. In fact, traffic development depends on various factors. However, neighborhood blocks are not intended to shift the problem in the long term, but to contribute to a sustainable traffic turnaround.

Motor vehicle traffic will initially be shifted from residential streets to the main roads. In the transition phase, this could lead to a slightly higher volume of traffic there. In the long term, better conditions will make it easier for pedestrians, cyclists and public transport users to switch to sustainable modes of transport. At the same time, motorized private transport becomes less attractive, which leads to fewer cars on all roads. In cities such as Barcelona (superblocks) and Paris, similar concepts have shown that although main roads initially absorb more traffic, this decreases over time due to a reduction in traffic throughout the city. A study by difu has also confirmed this effect in German cities.

All supermarkets, stores, cafés and restaurants can still be supplied by car. Delivery services and other businesses that deliver goods by car can also reach all addresses in the neighborhood block. The traffic concept naturally also applies to delivery traffic. One opportunity for the Kiezblocks is to set up targeted delivery zones to simplify deliveries and reduce second-row parking.

Unfortunately, it is still a widespread assumption that traffic calming leads to less revenue for businesses. However, the proportion of customers who come by car is usually overestimated. However, studies (e.g. Merten and Kuhnimhof 2023, Schneidemesser 2022, Federal Environment Agency 2021) show that street upgrades actually benefit neighboring businesses. A human-oriented and needs-based design of the public space leads to more footfall. However, it is still possible that neighborhood blocks may mean a negative change for individual businesses.

You can take part both online and on site. You can find all dates and information under Participate.

The best place to find out is on your neighborhood page under All neighborhoods. The district office provides information via various channels, including Instagram(@ba_mitte_berlin), local press and posters. You can also sign up for the newsletter.

You can contribute your suggestions and objections to the participation process. The results of the participation will be incorporated into the planning.

Yes, that is possible. The democratic instrument of the residents’ petition serves this purpose. For the petition to be accepted, 1,000 signatures are required. In Berlin, initiatives that want to submit a residents’ petition are supported by the Changing Cities association, for example. In general, however, the implementation of Kiezblocks is being examined in all neighborhoods in Mitte.

The study of the neighborhoods, participation, planning and evaluation of the project’s 12 neighborhood blocks is funded by the state of Berlin.

The roads and green spaces department of the Mitte district authority is launching this pilot project.

The Mitte district office is supported by experts in transport and urban planning and public participation from the offices of gruppe F | Freiraum für alle GmbH and STRATMO Strategic Mobility Planning supported.

The success of the measures is evaluated on the basis of traffic counts and/or surveys of residents.

If the targets are not achieved, the measures can be adjusted or withdrawn. Each neighborhood block remains a flexible concept that responds to local needs.

Yes, the district office plans to use the experience gained from the pilot project to implement further neighborhood blocks.

In the map on the start page you will find all the neighborhoods that have been examined for their suitability as a Kiezblock. Simply click on the magnifying glass and search for your address to find out which neighborhood you belong to.

Can’t find your way around the map or having technical problems? Then take a look at All neighborhoods, where all neighborhoods are listed and described.

On the individual neighborhood pages under All neighborhoods, we have compiled information specifically for your neighborhood: from the current planning status to participation opportunities and implemented measures.