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Berlin Senate Takes Over Planning of Kreuzberg’s Controversial Urbane Mitte Project

It relies on a legal obligation from a 2005 contract to fast-track the plan under state control.

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Draufsicht auf das Bauprojekt Urbane Mitte in Berlin.
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Overview

  • The Senate invoked a 2005 urban development contract to assume planning authority for the Urbane Mitte project from the Friedrichshain-Kreuzberg district.
  • The plan envisions seven high-rise towers up to 90 meters tall primarily for office use on land adjacent to Gleisdreieck Park.
  • Local Greens-led officials and residents have raised environmental concerns and questioned the need for large amounts of new office space amid existing vacancies.
  • State planners intend to negotiate adding residential units and to integrate a new S-Bahn stop as part of the S21 extension into the project.
  • Although the Senate has designated the area as of extraordinary urban significance, detailed zoning and legal approvals will delay construction until the early 2030s.