Mind the Water: Voices from Berlin and Brandenburg

What is this about?  

• Gathering public perceptions and concerns regarding water change 
• Raising awareness of water as a resource among people in Berlin and Brandenburg  

Shaping the future of water Water is a key issue for the future of Berlin and Brandenburg: due to the climate crisis and the phase-out of coal, at least half of the water in the River Spree will be missing in future (UBA 2023).

At the same time, heavy rainfall events and sealed surfaces are posing an increasing challenge. Various initiatives are responding to this situation. These include the State of Berlin’s Water Master Plan and the planned joint Capital Region Water Strategy 2050 of the states of Berlin and Brandenburg, as well as strategies and legal reforms concerning water at the Brandenburg state level. However, it is also clear that this can only be achieved in collaboration with the citizens of Berlin and Brandenburg.

The project provides access to cultural knowledge and diverse societal perspectives on the topic of water change in Berlin and Brandenburg. How do Berliners perceive the changes taking place in the city? How do they reflect on their own role, including in the relationship between city and countryside?

By mapping perceptions, interests and areas of conflict in Berlin and Brandenburg, we are enriching the debate between academia, conservation and politics with societal voices. In cooperation with the Senate Department for Mobility, Transport, Climate Protection and the Environment, current policy measures are being discussed, reflected upon and, where necessary, expanded with various population groups to lay the groundwork for active public participation in the necessary changes.

What is the aim?

The aim is to create a participatory collection of data to serve as a basis for evidence-based environmental decisions that will enable a fair and collaborative future for water in Berlin and Brandenburg. Citizens of Berlin and Brandenburg will also discuss the collection and their own perspectives at events with stakeholders from politics, public administration and research. The findings will then be incorporated into policy recommendations (policy briefs).

Results to date: 

You can view all previous contributions on the collection platform.
 

Partners

Senate Department for Mobility, Transport, Climate Protection and the Environment (SenMVKU) 

Further collaboration: 

• Berliner Wasserbetriebe
• Friends of the Earth Germany (BUND) Brandenburg Regional Association
• Gilberto Bosques Adult Education Centre, Friedrichshain-Kreuzberg
• Potsdam-Mittelmark District Adult Education Centre
• KWB Water Competence Centre Berlin 
• Prof. Dr Petra Dobner, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg 
• Rainwater Agency
• Berlin Mitte Adult Education Centre 
• Spandau Adult Education Centre
• Wassernetz Berlin Participants in the Wassernetz: a tip: tap e.V., Berlin State Working Group for Nature Conservation (BLN), German Association for the Environment and Nature Conservation (BUND), Grüne Liga, NABU Berlin Regional Association