Voters in Lichtenberg Unable to Cast Ballots for Electoral Alliance: Reasons Behind Citizens' Voting Restrictions
Dispute Over Lichtenberg's sole Kiezblock persists, despite insufficient signatures for a citizens' initiative
Despite the submission of 4059 signatures to the district office, the association "Traffic Calming with Common Sense" has fallen short of the initial target for a citizens' initiative, thereby avoiding a citizens' vote on the matter.
However, the association has stated that the issue will be discussed and voted on as a resident's motion in the municipal parliament. The association vehemently opposes any Kiezblocks in Lichtenberg and particularly rejects the bollard barrier in Stadthausstraße.
Background Information:
Kiezblocks, aimed at improving traffic conditions for pedestrians and cyclists, have been met with ongoing debates due to their impact on car through-traffic. The Kaskel-Kiezblock in Lichtenberg, for example, intends to better the quality of stay and traffic safety by discouraging car traffic and making the area around Ostkreuz station more accessible [4].
Recent developments in Berlin reflect a shift towards halting Kiezblock projects due to concerns about social harmony, the daily needs of residents, emergency services, and commercial delivery routes. The Berlin Senate's decision to halt the Kiezblock project in Mitte set a precedent for future projects [1].
As no specific details on the resolution in the municipal parliament for Lichtenberg have been disclosed, the outcome likely revolves around addressing the concerns related to the project's compatibility with residents' needs and the city's infrastructure.
[1] https://www.berlin.de/senatsverwaltung/aussentiles-impetus/stadtentwicklung/kiezblocks/index.php[4] https://kiezblocks-berlin.de/kiezblocks/kiezblock-lauenbergerstrasse/
The association "Traffic Calming with Common Sense" has announced that the dispute over the Kiezblock in Lichtenberg will be addressed as a resident's motion in the municipal parliament, showcasing the ongoing politics surrounding policy-and-legislation related to traffic conditions in the city. This general-news development follows the failure to meet the signature target for a citizens' initiative on the matter.
