03
HISTORIC BACKGROUND
After Germany was defeated in WWII, the division of Germany took place in 1949, even Berlin. In 1961 a 155km long wall was constructed along the heart of Berlin dividing it into two. The areas close to the wall were neglected and marginalized areas, which were resided mainly by migrants, the so called guestworkers who were offered to enter Germany for reconstruction. At that time, they did not think that the guest workers would stay longer and form a community.
The 70’s and the 80’s of the last century was a time of big reconstruction and renovation measures (Lukas Born Inter
view, 2021), however Improving people’s living conditions is as important to contribute to the stabilization of neighborhoods as a whole (SenSW, 2021).
After the Fall of the Wall (1989) and the Reunification of Germany and the move of the capital from Bonn to Berlin, the responsible bodies discovered that the areas marginalized for decades along the wall now form the heart of the city facing a lot of problems and challenges. (Laila) The difference noticed in the social development of the different Berlin neighborhoods ignited the launch of the nationwide initiative “Social City” in 1995 which 4 years later in 1999 was formally listed into a federal-state program under the title “Districts with Special Development Needs – the Social City”. Since 1999 Neighborhood Management under the Social city Program became part of the Urban Development Funding Program (see z).
Fig. The German Quartiersmanagement – Neighbourhood Management Unit challenges
The city authorities had launched the Neighborhood Management Instrument under the program of the social city as a strategic intervention to face the adverse outcomes of the social segregation and social challenges found in certain areas after the fall of the wall. (European Commission, 2012)
For more than a decade, it has proven to be a valuable tool in the development of the ‘Socially Integrative City’ of Berlin. (European Commission, 2012) After another decade it has proven to be
Some areas in Berlin suffered from noticeable abundance of public spaces and high rates of unemployment, and the dependence on state aid in addition to the problems and challenges accompanying lack of integration. (European Commission, 2012)
The main objective of the federal and EU fund for supporting the Neighbourhood Management Berlin (NMB) programme has been to act against the negative situation and encourage neighbourhood solidarity providing equal development opportunities for these less advantaged neighbourhoods and their inhabitants. (European Commission, 2012)
3.1
The first Model of the NM-Unit
2000 – 2002: Pilot Project “One Million for the Kiez”:
The community (local neighborhood committee) was offered 1 million German Mark (DM) to decide upon needed projects for the area. (Lukas Born interview 2021, Helmut Roesener, Video 2019 (1999-2007)) Roesener QM Moabit West, states that in the beginning starting 1999 the NM-area was also an Area under re-Construction Program which has provided the possibility not only to decide upon social projects for the neighborhood but also construction projects.
2003: Evaluation of the program in Berlin 1999-2002
2005: Program restructuring and enlargement – Introduction of Local Committee
2009: Further enlargement
2019: 20 years of Quartiersmanagement