Senate Mulls Over Legislation Securing Long-Term Defense for Small Gardens
In a significant move aimed at preserving Berlin's urban green spaces, the Berlin Senate has proposed a new law known as the "Small Garden Plot Security Act." This legislation is set to be discussed by the Council of Mayors, as stated in a recent press release by the Senate Chancellery.
The proposed act is designed to secure the existing stock of state-owned small garden plots, while limiting future conversions. This decision comes as a commitment from Ute Eilingfeld, Environment Senator of Berlin (CDU), to preserve the small gardens in Berlin, which serve as significant urban green spaces for recreation.
It is important to note that the "Small Garden Plot Security Act" will only affect 56,280 small gardens on state-owned land, covering an area of 2,283 hectares. Small gardens not on state-owned land, such as those of Deutsche Bahn, are not covered by the planned law.
The total number of small garden facilities in Berlin is 870, with around 70,700 plots covering approximately 2,900 hectares. The bill adopted by the Berlin Senate aims to secure these small gardens as urban green spaces, ensuring they remain available for recreational purposes.
Exceptions for the conversion of small garden plots are possible under a narrow framework of the law, with the consent of the House of Representatives. However, demolition of small gardens may occur if the areas are urgently needed for the construction of affordable housing or social and transport infrastructure.
Affected small gardeners must be offered replacement areas of the same size nearby, as part of the Senate's efforts to maintain the overall number of small garden plots in the city. The Council of Mayors will decide on the "Small Garden Plot Security Act" after discussing the Senate's draft, reflecting the importance of this legislation in shaping Berlin's urban landscape.
This new legislation, the "Small Garden Plot Security Act," falls under the category of policy-and-legislation and is a significant development in Berlin's politics, particularly in the realm of general-news related to urban green spaces preservation. The proposed law aims to secure and limit conversions of small garden plots owned by the state, marking a commitment by Ute Eilingfeld, Environment Senator of Berlin (CDU), to protect these urban green spaces.
