Kiezblocks, Berlin
Location: Berlin, Germany
Year Transformed: From 2018 onward
Lead Agencies: Initiated by residents, now coordinated by the org “Changing Cities”.
Overview
Kiezblocks (“neighbourhood blocks”) are growing across Berlin. They are a growing movement initally led by residents and now coordinated by the organisation “Changing Cities” to slow traffic down in their streets. They prevent cars from cutting across neighbourhoods by installing modal filters that limit access to local destinations. These include planters, bollards, and parklets.
What Changed?
- Previous Conditions: For years, Berliners have complained about increasing levels of car traffic through streets “never designed to hold such volumes”
- New Design: Traffic calming through modal filters
- Street Features Added:
- Paved, kerbless surfaces
- Raised pedestrian crossings and traffic-calming design
- Bollards to stop cars
- Traffic free streets for pedestrians and cyclists.
Community Involvement
The transformations are very much community-driven. Residents identify problem corridors, gather signatures, and present proposals to district councils. Changing Cities helps them navigate the process through provision of expert advice, but the movement remains community-driven.
Photos
by Melissa and Chris Bruntlett
