Preservation of Berlin's Small Gardens is Imperative
In a bid to safeguard Berlin's cherished green urban spaces, a new small garden protection law has been introduced. This law aims to preserve the current stock of small garden areas, respecting recreational value, urban population, biotope, and species protection.
The law, proposed by Environment Senator Ute Bode, prohibits the state from selling small garden areas, ensuring their preservation in the long run. The designation of a small garden area is intended to create the greatest possible transparency, with all paths in small garden facilities to be accessible all year round.
The Berlin House of Representatives must agree to the designation of an area as a small garden area. The land use plan in Berlin allows for a different use for 8,251 small garden areas, often with existing building rights. However, exceptions to this rule are subject to certain conditions, such as public interest projects, infrastructure development, or when suitable replacement garden areas are provided to maintain the total allotment area.
The area designated as a small garden area may not exceed 0.5 hectares (5000 square meters), except for social housing. Ideally, the replacement area for a small garden area should be located within the catchment area, as surveys show that 60 percent of users live within a radius of four kilometers.
The new law ensures a balanced land balance by obliging the provision of equal-sized replacement areas for any exceptions made in small garden areas. It is important to note that the law does not cover properties owned by state-owned companies, approximately 14,352 plots on private land, or the 3,302 plots on railway land.
Gert Schoppa, President of the Garden Friends, has welcomed the new law, stating that it provides additional security for small garden areas. However, he also acknowledges that the door to exceptions remains relatively wide open.
For precise details, including the exact wording of conditions for exceptions, specifications on replacement areas, and clear definitions of areas not covered by the new Berlin small garden protection law, official Berlin state legislative sources or recent government publications would need to be consulted.
The Berlin Senate has set protection periods until 2030 for at least 149 facilities (6,930 small gardens) on building land, demonstrating a commitment to preserving these vital green spaces in the heart of the city.
This new protection law is a significant step towards ensuring the continued existence of small gardens in Berlin, providing a green haven for residents and contributing to the city's biodiversity and quality of life.
The new Berlin small garden protection law, aligning with sustainable living and home-and-garden practices, prohibits selling small garden areas and requires equal-sized replacement areas for exceptions. This law also strives to maintain the current stock of small garden areas, ensuring a balance in land usage and fostering a lifestyle that values urban green spaces, species protection, and biodiversity.
