The Kiezblocks-für-Mitte team has already been out and about in 11 Kiezes to present the Kiez block designs for their neighborhoods to interested residents. The mobility planners presented initial ideas on how traffic in the Kiezes could be reorganized and put them up for discussion. Which measures can residents imagine for their neighborhoods, and which not? There was also room for questions about Kiezblocks and general comments.
The first impressions of the individual neighborhood walks are now available for the Bergfest:
Malplaquetkiez
Similar to the online participation, there was great interest in this Kiez. We started the presentation of the first draft with 45 participants. In addition to residents and representatives of the Kiezblock initiative from Kiez, there were also representatives of BVV Mitte and the local police department. We received a lot of valuable information from the participants, including about the dangerous Liebenwalder Straße/Hochstädter Straße intersection and the noise pollution caused by speeders, especially in the evening and at night.
Kameruner Straße
Around 70 residents and interested parties took part in the neighbourhood walk at Kameruner Straße. Numerous comments and suggestions were collected, for example about the Anna Lindh School, which is currently closed for renovation, and the junction with Kameruner Straße from Müllerstrasse, which is perceived as dangerous and confusing. Problems with road safety were mentioned particularly often, such as drivers and cyclists disregarding speed limits and traffic rules, as well as unsafe crossing options for pedestrians. Voices from all age groups and road users were heard.
Schillerpark Süd
Around 20 people took part in the third neighbourhood walk, criticizing in particular the heavy through traffic and confusing intersections. The crossing from Türkenstraße into Schillerpark, which many schoolchildren use, was considered particularly dangerous. The desire was expressed to create space for delivery zones, e-charging stations and parking spaces for tradespeople by generally reducing the number of parking spaces and introducing parking space management. On several occasions, the participants observed cars driving on the bollard-protected cycle lane in Ungarnstraße without permission. The walk was accompanied by a team from the RBB evening show, which was broadcast on Sunday, May 4, at 7:30 pm.
Grenzstraße
Around 60 people took part in the neighborhood walk through Grenzstraßenkiez. There was a committed, constructive and respectful exchange among the participants. Many were already active in other neighborhood or Berlin-wide initiatives. There was repeated criticism of the measures that had already been implemented, such as the crosswalks, as according to the residents these were not placed in the right places and were not taken into account by drivers. The crosswalk on Neue Hochstraße, Grenzstraße was named as particularly dangerous. The continuous exceeding of the speed limit was mentioned several times as dangerous and annoying and the cobblestones were classified as a noise nuisance, especially due to speeding cars.
Gesundbrunnen
Around 20 people took part in the neighborhood walk at Gesundbrunnen Kiez . The main topics discussed were unsafe crossing areas, for example at the corner of Swinemünder Strasse and Ramlerstrasse. Crossing should be made easier and safer for pedestrians at all intersections. In addition, the passage through Kiez was discussed, which in parts of Graunstraße is associated with a high level of parking by non-residents in the evening and non-compliance with the speed limit. Participants preferred traffic calming measures such as sidewalk extensions and Moabit cushions to traffic control measures such as rows of bollards. The closure of the Swinemünder Brücke bridge to motor vehicles was received very controversially, as this is an important crossing of the tracks.
Uferstraßenkiez
Around 25 people took part in the neighbourhood walk at Uferstraßenkiez. An important topic for those present was the increased through traffic along Schönstedtstraße, Martin-Opitz-Straße and Gottschedstraße and the confusing intersection of Martin-Opitz-Straße/Gottschedstraße. Wiesenstraße was also designated as the main through route for vehicles when there are no roadworks. The rows of bollards at the intersections of Martin-Opitz-Straße with Uferstraße and Gottschedstraße and at the Uferstraße/Wiesenstraße intersection were therefore welcomed. Particular potential was seen in the bridges on Uferstraße at the aforementioned intersections, which could gain in quality of life once the measures have been implemented. Measures that could slow down motor vehicle traffic were discussed, particularly on Gottschedstraße. The discussion included swerving the carriageway by aligning the rows of parking spaces differently and Moabit cushions. The measures in front of the district court were also positively received.
Soldiner Kiez West
Around 25 people took part in the seventh neighborhood walk. The main topic of discussion was the many confusing situations in Koloniestraße. Although there are already various measures in place here, such as Moabit cushions and sidewalk markings, people still often exceed the speed limit or park illegally. Illegal parking in particular creates confusing stations at crossings. In addition to the planned measures, further measures were proposed in the vicinity of Wollankstraße S-Bahn station. There is a need for safe crossings to the S-Bahn station here.
Soldiner Kiez East
The neighborhood walk Soldiner Kiez Ost was attended by around 25 people. The main topics of discussion were through traffic on Steeger Straße and road safety on Soldiner Straße and Grüntaler Straße. Above all, the participants wanted safe crossings and intersections and measures to reduce the speed of motor vehicle traffic to the maximum permitted 30 km/h, especially on Soldiner Strasse. An important topic for some of those present was the search for parking spaces and how this would be affected by the measures.
Böttgerblock
Around 10 people took part in the neighborhood walk at Böttgerblock. The main topic of discussion was speeding in Bastianstraße and Böttgerstraße. Many of the participants spoke out in favor of a row of bollards in Bastianstraße. Although there are already various measures in place here, such as Moabit cushions and sidewalk markings, people still often exceed the speed limit or park illegally. Traffic-calming measures were also proposed in Kolberger Strasse. In addition, various danger spots were identified, e.g. from the Panke cycle path to Gerichtsstraße or illegal parking at crosswalks in Wiesenstraße. In addition to the proposed measures, further measures were suggested in the vicinity of Wollankstraße S-Bahn station. There is a need for safe crossings to the S-Bahn station here.
Brunnenstraße West
Around 20 people took part in the neighborhood walk Brunnenstraße West. Important topics for those present were the street space on Hussitenstrasse and safe and comfortable cycling. For example, the measures at the Hussitenstrasse/Voltastrasse junction were considered sensible. In addition, the oversized crossing areas should be made safer and the possibility of reducing the sealed road space in favor of more greenery should be looked at more closely. The school zones were welcomed. There were even reports of a past idea to build a “common schoolyard” on Strelitzer Strasse. Motor vehicle traffic on Usedomer Straße is perceived as dangerous, especially at night due to speeding drivers.
Arkonaplatz
Around 50 people joined us on a walk through Kiez around Arkonaplatz. Participants from the neighborhood explained that parent cabs in particular create dangerous situations around the schools and daycare centers at Kiez. The proposal to create a school road in front of the elementary school at Arkonaplatz was particularly well received by the pupils themselves, who often experience dangerous situations and speeding there. The wish was expressed several times that the neighboring neighborhoods should also be considered. Participants also emphasized that the success of the measures should be evaluated and, if necessary, adjusted if traffic shifts to other side streets as a result of the measures.
A further 11 dates for walks through a total of 14 Kieze are still to come – join us and get in touch with the planners and other residents! You can find all dates and meeting points under Join in.
If the date for the walk through your Kiez doesn’t suit you, don’t worry: you can also submit your comments on the Kiezblock draft for your neighborhood in a second online participation afterwards.