Berlin Pushes for Easier Interim Use of Vacant Commercial Spaces
In an effort to breathe new life into vacant commercial spaces, the Clubcommission and Transitraumes e.V. have joined forces to simplify their interim use. With a catalog of nine demands, they aim to create a more streamlined approval process and foster cultural, social, and societal exchange.
The initiative seeks to include interim use as an independent category in the Berlin building code. This would expedite approval processes, reducing the current administrative uncertainty that often leads to unnecessary rejections. The signatories hope to establish a municipal interim use agency in Berlin to facilitate this change.
Berlin boasts a vast potential with 1.75 million square meters of vacant commercial space ripe for interim purposes. These spaces can host a variety of projects, from cultural events to social initiatives, without the need for profitability. Successful measures elsewhere, such as the vacant property tax in Latvia and a coordination office for creative spaces in Vienna, serve as inspiration.
The biggest hurdle so far has been administrative uncertainty, but interim use projects can be tested relatively easily. By revitalizing and upgrading cities, interim use benefits property owners, cultural creators, and residents alike.
The Clubcommission and Transitraumes e.V. are pushing for a more efficient interim use of vacant commercial spaces in Berlin. With a catalog of demands focused on streamlining approval processes, they aim to create a vibrant, dynamic city that benefits all stakeholders. The establishment of a municipal interim use agency is hoped to facilitate this transformation.
