DON’T MISS
IamExpat FairIamExpat Job BoardIamExpat Webinars
Newsletters
EXPAT INFO
CAREER
HOUSING
EDUCATION
LIFESTYLE
EXPAT SERVICES
NEWS & ARTICLES
Home
Lifestyle
German news & articles
Berlin to build 100 new parklet meeting spots to replace car parking spaces
Never miss a thing!Sign up for our weekly newsletters with important news stories, expat events and special offers.
Keep me updated with exclusive offers from partner companies
By signing up, you agree that we may process your information in accordance with our privacy policy

Berlin to build 100 new parklet meeting spots to replace car parking spaces

Never miss a thing!Sign up for our weekly newsletters with important news stories, expat events and special offers.
Keep me updated with exclusive offers from partner companies
By signing up, you agree that we may process your information in accordance with our privacy policy
or
follow us for regular updates:



Related Stories

Germany unveils plan to massively expand electric car charging infrastructureGermany unveils plan to massively expand electric car charging infrastructure
Car free day: 24 hours of free buses, trams and trains in Berlin on ThursdayCar free day: 24 hours of free buses, trams and trains in Berlin on Thursday
Initiative for car-free Berlin city centre declared unworkable by SenateInitiative for car-free Berlin city centre declared unworkable by Senate
Subsidies for hybrid electric vehicles to be scrapped in GermanySubsidies for hybrid electric vehicles to be scrapped in Germany
2022 in Germany: All of the changes expats need to know about2022 in Germany: All of the changes expats need to know about
UBA: “Drastic measures” needed to reduce German transport emissionsUBA: “Drastic measures” needed to reduce German transport emissions
Environmental groups to sue German carmakers over carbon emissionsEnvironmental groups to sue German carmakers over carbon emissions
Germany's CO2 tax on transport hits low-income households hardestGermany's CO2 tax on transport hits low-income households hardest
For expats of all colours, shapes and sizes

Explore
Expat infoCareerHousingEducationLifestyleExpat servicesNews & articles
About us
IamExpat MediaAdvertisePost a jobContact usImpressumSitemap
More IamExpat
IamExpat Job BoardIamExpat HousingIamExpat FairWebinarsNewsletters
Privacy
Terms of usePrivacy policyCookiesAvoiding scams

Never miss a thing!Sign up for expat events, news & offers, delivered once a week.
Keep me updated with exclusive offers from partner companies
By signing up, you agree that we may process your information in accordance with our privacy policy


© 2025 IamExpat Media B.V.
© 2025 IamExpat Media B.V.
Jun 5, 2022
Abi Carter

Editor in chief at IamExpat Media

Abi studied German and History at the University of Manchester and has since lived in Berlin, Hamburg and Utrecht, working since 2017 as a writer, editor and content marketeer. Although she's happily taken on some German and Dutch quirks, she keeps a stash of Yorkshire Tea on hand, because nowhere does a brew quite like home.Read more

In a bid to open up public street spaces to the wider community, rather than reserving them for drivers, city authorities in Berlin are implementing a new 200.000-euro programme to build 100 new “parklets” - modules that extend pavements to provide more space for people to sit, meet and grow plants.

Up to 100 parklets to replace parking spaces in Berlin this year

Last week, Berlin Traffic Senator Bettina Jarasch attended the ceremonial opening of two new parklets on Straẞmannstraße and Petersburger Platz, both in Friedrichshain. The parklets are built by converting up to three car parking spaces into wooden structures with places for people to sit and grow plants. 

parklet modules

Image credit: raumdialog, Hendrik Weiner

So far this year, 30 parklets have been built in Friedrichshain-Kreuzberg, Mitte and Charlottenburg-Wilmersdorf, with a further 35 to follow by the middle of the year. Another round of applications should start after the new budget is passed by the Senate, with local clubs and residents’ associations applying for funding to build their own parklets.  

“Kiez-Parklets help enormously, because they redesign the street space and increase quality of life,” said Jarasch. “Where previously space was blocked for cars, residents can now enjoy and linger in green oases.” 

District Councillor Annika Gerold added: “The public street space belongs to all of us. With our new Kiez-Parklets we are bringing more green into our residential areas for the people who live there. Communities will take care of the maintenance of their neighbourhood parklets together and thus strengthen the sense of community.” 

Not all Berlin districts support parklets scheme

However, parklets aren’t universally popular in the German city, with just three districts so far taking part in the scheme. There has been concern, not only about antagonising drivers by reducing the number of available parking spaces, but also about possible noise complaints, with the meeting spots encouraging people to come together to chat or share a beer, especially when the weather is good. 

Some city councillors are being quite vocal in their criticism. “Spandau is on the verge of a traffic collapse. In view of the huge number of houses being built, we need more capacity on the streets and not less,” CDU City Councillor Thorsten Schatz told Berliner Zeitung. “I will not contribute to worsening Berlin’s reputation as a traffic jam capital with parklets.” 

Thumb image credit: Ricardo Alves 1975 / Shutterstock.com

By Abi Carter