kiezPARK FORTUNA, Berlin

The area of around 27,000 square meters was developed as a "place for everyday life and encounters", as a new neighbourhood center that can be actively used and is open to the public. The design of the core area of 11,000 square meters as a neighbourhood park was accompanied by residents, associations, social institutions and owners through a continuously meeting and transparent regulars' table and co-designed in topic-related workshops.



A meadow orchard, islands with spring flowers, herb and perennial beds, meadow areas, a rock garden and a water playground were created. The middle of the park is characterized by a stream with a pond, a space under a pergola and a "garden room". A path accompanies the pergola through the park and constantly opens up new views of the individual elements of the green space.



A decisive factor in the success of the project was the willingness of the housing cooperative to take over the derelict area from the state of Berlin, work with landscape architects to design it to a high standard and make it accessible not only to the neighborhood, but also to the general public.

The cooperative ownership should also guarantee the sustainable use and maintenance of the park.


The park received an award from the German Council for Sustainability as a 2013 project.

Appreciation Special Prize Living EnvironmentGerman Landscape Architecture Award 2013

Jury verdict: A typical task of Stadtumbau Ost was solved in an exemplary manner: the new use of an abandoned school site as an active and publicly accessible new neighborhood center. The design of the Kiezpark was accompanied by residents, associations, social sponsors and owners through a continuously meeting and transparent regulars' table and co-designed in topic-related workshops.

Crucial to the success of the project was the willingness of the Fortuna housing cooperative to take over the derelict area from the state of Berlin, to work with landscape architects to design it to a high standard, and to make it accessible not only to its own neighborhood, but also to the neighborhood public.

The cooperative ownership should also guarantee the sustainable use and maintenance of the park.