Schlangenbader Straße

The Senate Department for Urban Development, Building, and Housing is providing funding for 24 major housing estates located outside the city center. Initially planned for the period between 2020 and 2023, the funding has been extended until 2025. With a focus on promoting social cohesion, the aim is to enhance community bonds and neighborly relationships. This involves establishing a network of civil society and residents in each district and supporting volunteer work through project funding.

The Charlottenburg-Wilmersdorf district office oversees two of the 24 major housing estates included in the program: the Paul-Hertz-Siedlung and Schlangenbader Straße.

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Projects

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Schlangenbader Straße District

Located in the southernmost part of Wilmersdorf, between Heidelberger Platz and Breitenbachplatz, Schlangenbader Straße boasts a population of 4,000 residents, making it the smallest settlement in the program yet one of the most well-known. What sets it apart is its singular, sprawling building complex with a motorway running through its center. Managed by degewo (a municipal housing association), with some outbuildings overseen by gewobe.

Nachbarschafft eV coordinates the program within the Schlangenbader Straße district on behalf of the Charlottenburg-Wilmersdorf district office, focusing on social-space-oriented planning coordination. Our responsibilities include:

Establishing a network of local stakeholders

Supporting voluntary and social initiative projects

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History of Schlangenbader Straße

In the 1970s, there was a housing shortage in West Berlin. Surrounded on all sides by the GDR, the Federal Republic of Germany was unable to expand in this area. The only way left was upwards. So, over a period of seven years, a huge apartment building was built over the motorway along Schlangenbader Strasse. With a length of 600 meters and 14 floors, one of the largest connected residential complexes and the longest motorway overbuilding in Europe has stood there since 1980.

The building was viewed with interest worldwide, but was hotly debated in Berlin. Was this the way to the future, or a monster that consumed a disproportionate amount of resources? But it certainly left its mark on Wilmersdorf. Since 2017, the "snake" has even been a listed building.

Outlook

A comprehensive renovation of the entire complex will begin in the next few years. An extensive participation process will ensure that historical preservation is reconciled with the wishes of local residents.

Ansprechpartner

Christoph Gabel

Schlangenbader Straße

LebensMittelPunkt

Coordinator