Focus on Potsdamer Platz

At the beginning of last year, the city of Eberswalde commissioned the urban planning office "S.T.E.R.N. GmbH" to draw up a concept for improving Potsdamer Platz. In addition to a technical categorisation, the perspective of local residents was important - they know Potsdamer Platz best from their everyday lives. To this end, many comments, ideas and wishes regarding Potsdamer Platz were collected over the past year. This article shows how the concept development process was organised, which topics were particularly important and which ideas and wishes were put forward. As a quintessence, approaches were derived as to how Potsdamer Platz can be further developed in the future.

In the first half of 2025, residents of the Brandenburg neighbourhood were able to share their opinions on Potsdamer Platz in various ways. Firstly, discussions were held on site and an online survey was offered. A total of 92 people took part in these two formats. In addition, observations were made on various days as to how the square is used in everyday life. The city administration and direct neighbours of the square were also available for interviews. Finally, during a hands-on activity on Potsdamer Platz, everyone was able to locate their wishes on a map of the square and try out their first new ideas.

The feedback shows: Potsdamer Platz is an important meeting place for the neighbourhood and also an important venue for events. At the same time, many people would like to be able to spend more time there. More seating and tables, opportunities to play and exercise and more cultural events were frequently mentioned. Many people would also like to see more cleanliness, better lighting and a greater sense of security to create a good atmosphere in the area. It is also important to many that the square is easy to use for everyone - children, young people, adults and older people.

All the information was collected, analysed and combined with an urban planning analysis of the square. On this basis, the urban planning office S.T.E.R.N. GmbH is currently drawing up a list of possible next steps and measures for Potsdamer Platz. These considerations are being coordinated with the relevant specialist departments of the city of Eberswalde - what is realistic and which measures are a good fit for Potsdamer Platz and its neighbourhood.