The DLE Land Development GmbH (DLE), based in Berlin, is developing one of the few remaining large unbuilt areas (approx. 9 hectares) in the Kirchsteigfeld district of the state capital Potsdam, Brandenburg, on behalf of the owner. On December 7, 2023, DLE, along with representatives of the city of Potsdam, invited residents and citizens to the “Versöhnungskirche Kirchsteigfeld” in the Kirchsteigfeld district for an initial presentation on the planning progress achieved through discussions with the city. The second part of the public event provided an opportunity for all guests to engage with the attending specialist planners and representatives from various fields, as well as contribute their own ideas and suggestions.

Using three large display groups, DLE and specialist planners illustrated their plans for the completion of Kirchsteigfeld. The focus was on the topics of “Urban Planning and Open Space Quality,” “Mixed Use in the Urban Quarter,” and “Traffic and Noise Protection.” Approximately 160 guests attended the invitation in person, with around 80 additional viewers following the first part of the event through an online livestream. About 50 guests actively participated in direct discussions in three thematic groups. In conversations with specialist planners, many citizens welcomed the positive impact of the further development of Kirchsteigfeld. The potential for expanding the existing school’s capacity was highlighted, along with the desire for a neighborhood library and the possibilities of additional social uses. Expressions of hope were also voiced for an improvement in the quality of public spaces along the Hirtengraben and an additional offering of medical services in the completed Kirchsteigfeld.

Petra Müller, Director Conceptual Development & Communication at DLE, stated, “Due to its history, Kirchsteigfeld in Potsdam is a significant urban area for neighborhood development. We face the challenge of sensibly and functionally completing the existing quarter on the designated area, set aside for this purpose for the past 30 years. To succeed, we also need the involvement of residents because they are the local experts. Therefore, together with representatives of the city of Potsdam, we invited residents and future neighbors to engage in a dialogue with specialist planners. We have taken note of the ideas, suggestions, and criticisms and will publish them in documented form. I would like to thank all the guests present for their curiosity and constructive contributions.”

Erik Wolfram, Head of the City Planning Department of the city of Potsdam, stated, “This area represents a significant potential space for the development of both residential and commercial uses. In 2023, together with DLE, we initiated a ‘restart’ for the planning considerations for this area. In what, from my perspective, was a very successful process involving several expert discussions, a planning solution was found that opens up the possibility of creating a broad mix of uses for living and working, thus contributing to the strengthening of Kirchsteigfeld as a vibrant neighborhood.”

After German reunification, Potsdam’s Kirchsteigfeld was considered the largest neighborhood development in Germany but remained incomplete, particularly in the eastern part of the planning area. With the current planning, DLE aims to complete the original neighborhood development according to the designs of the architects Krier & Kohl on the previously undeveloped approximately 89,000 square meters of land east of Ricarda-Huch-Straße. A mixed-use neighborhood following the model of the 15-minute city is envisioned, providing the opportunity to construct 1,000 new apartments for approximately 1,900 residents of all ages and income levels. The development also offers amenities for local services, public and social infrastructure, and space for approximately 1,600 new jobs, providing additional value to the entire neighborhood during the further development of Kirchsteigfeld.

The documentation of the citizen information evening can be found at www.potsdam-kirchsteigfeld.de.

As the next step, the administration of the city of Potsdam will present the new planning goals to the city council in the first quarter of 2024 in the form of a so-called guiding decision for approval.