In agreement with district authorities, the Berlin Senate decided several years ago to initiate a neighbourhood management program in each of fifteen areas of the city that have been declared to be "in particular need of development". The Senate's Urban Development Administration subsequently commissioned
nexus to run a grassroots planning cell in one such neighbourhood, the quarter surrounding Sparrplatz in Wedding.
The goal of this group was to compile a catalogue of measures identifying the quarter's urgent developmental tasks and ways to tackle them. This citizens' report presented the ideas and suggestions that had been elaborated, discussed, and ranked in importance during four day planning sessions attended by 80 randomly selected neighbourhood residents. The inclusion of residents in the planning procedure made it possible to tap a reservoir of potential and opportunity for shaping and implementing proposals. The intention was to motivate citizens to become actively involved in their community.
By nature, the results of this procedure could not be prescribed. The results of the planning process have been summarized and are available from the Urban Development Administration of the Berlin Senate or from nexus.
