Urgently wanted: A place for humans AND animals! Currently, it is the marsh warbler, sand lizard, yellowhammer and various toad species that have to move before excavators can roll.
Of the 196 larger ongoing construction projects in Berlin (200 apartments or more), every second one currently needs clarification, which could result in delays. Most of these are a cluster of problems, while a third have just one sticking point.
Particularly often there is a lack of resettlement areas for protected animal species (seven percent of problem cases). In the meantime, there was no longer any room for sand lizards in the districts of 2019, which is why the area search was extended to the surrounding area. This in turn leads to competition with the farmers working there.
Eight projects and thus almost 6000 apartments are directly affected by species protection problems. This currently affects three areas for 1750 apartments:
► Detlevstrasse (Alt-Hohenschönhausen): Howoge is planning 450 apartments for singles, students, senior citizens, families from 6.60 euros/m² plus daycare and space for a bakery/kiosk. After the building permit has been granted, construction could begin in mid-2024.
The previous search for a replacement habitat for sand lizards and marsh warblers has already delayed the project by a year. The current plan is to relocate them to Lindenberg.
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► Georg-Knorr-Park west of Marzahn S-Bahn station: Business and around 1000 apartments are planned here. Project developer Laborgh has already prepared a replacement area for sand lizards nearby. “Unfortunately, we have not yet been granted a permit for the resettlement,” regrets Managing Director Florian Lanz.
However, the animals could be moved on the site itself, so that the process may not be further delayed and the entire project can be completed by the end of 2027.
► Ahrensfelder Chaussee: In addition to sand lizards and marsh warblers, common spadefoot toads, green toads and yellowhammers were identified as species worthy of protection on building plots. The client is looking for three hectares of resettlement area.
For years, the estimated 600 natterjack toads on the former marshalling yard in Pankow have been an issue (“Pankower Tor with 2000 apartments). The nature conservationists from the BUND have sued the environmental senate because last year it rated the resettlement as being in the “overriding public interest”.
“Five years have not been able to decide on an implementation concept,” said investor Kurt Krieger (74). “There are two alternative areas to choose from in Brandenburg. The start of construction depends on the solution to the problem.”
Other typical delay reasons
► When neighbors sue against construction projects…
Residents often perceive the changes in their environment negatively. They are particularly annoyed when open spaces are built over and trees are to be felled. Other concerns: car parking spaces are disappearing, roads, day-care centers, schools and doctors are threatened with congestion. Citizens’ initiatives are founded, lawsuits are filed.
► If there are not enough school places in the neighborhood …
If the demand for school places cannot be met, the state of Berlin must create additional offers through new buildings or extensions. If there are problems, the requirements for establishing a development plan and the concrete building application are delayed. Currently: New construction of Insel Gartenfeld on Daumstrasse and new construction of Peeestrasse for the Anne-Frank-Strasse 6 project.
► When traffic can’t flow properly…
It is about the new construction of roads, tram lines, train stations. Concrete examples: The federal government still has to approve the demolition of a feeder road for the Schumacher district with 5,000 apartments in Tegel. For the Wohnen am Volkspark (Lichtenberg) project, the intersection Weißenseer Weg/Hohenschönhauser Straße has to be expanded.
► If the administration can’t keep up…
The administration must plan, approve, advise. Many projects are currently affected by delays – employees are ill, retired, many vacancies are unfilled. The result: It is processed according to priority, other things are postponed. The Treptow-Köpenick district has recently sent an overload notice to the Senate.
