Starting on Monday, Friedrichstrasse transforms into a pedestrian-only area.
The iconic street of Friedrichstraße in Berlin-Mitte is set for a significant transformation, as it is set to be converted into a permanent pedestrian zone starting next Monday. This change is part of Bettina Jarasch's vision for the area, aiming to create a vibrant and attractive pedestrian zone, similar to the Piazzas found in Italy.
The Berlin Senate Administration for Mobility, Traffic, Climate Protection and Environment (Senatsverwaltung für Mobilität, Verkehr, Klimaschutz und Umwelt) and the Berlin Senate Administration for Urban Development, Construction and Housing (Senatsverwaltung für Stadtentwicklung, Bauen und Wohnen) are responsible for this conversion, as part of the Berlin Mitte master plan.
The traffic trial for Friedrichstraße began under Bettina Jarasch's predecessor, Regine Günther, in August 2020. Since then, the street has been closed to traffic, with a valid legal basis now in place for the pedestrian zone spanning 500 meters. However, the project has faced criticism, particularly for the wide bike lane marked off with yellow markings right in the middle of the street, which made the intended promenade inaccessible.
Despite these challenges, the traffic administration had to reopen the street to traffic due to a legal issue, but they announced their continued push for the conversion of the street into a pure pedestrian zone. Now, with the legal issues resolved, the street will once again be closed to traffic from next Monday, without reinstalling the provisional bike lane.
In the coming weeks, the design competition for the redesign of Friedrichstraße will be initiated. The design concept includes trees, plant boxes, sun loungers, and fountains, as shown in an idea sketch published in May 2022. Bettina Jarasch plans to launch this design competition to ensure the redesigned Friedrichstraße is not only a pedestrian zone but also an attractive one.
Another project in Berlin-Mitte is the central bike expressway, spanning 38 kilometers from east to west. Cyclists will have to detour via Charlottenstraße, as they will not be allowed to use Friedrichstraße starting from next Monday.
The Green Party's top candidate, Bettina Jarasch, will officially present the plans for the conversion of the section between Französische and Leipziger Straße at an official event today. Jarasch aims to create 50 new neighborhood blocks by 2026 as part of the mobility transition, with the Arnimkiez in Prenzlauer Berg set for a test phase as a neighborhood block from 2023.
A discussion is ongoing about the possibility of a pedestrian zone at Hackescher Markt in Berlin-Mitte. The central focus remains on making Berlin's city centre more pedestrian-friendly and creating attractive spaces for residents and visitors alike. The Mitte district is expected to complete the procedure for the withdrawal of the street by tomorrow, paving the way for the transformation of Friedrichstraße into a bustling pedestrian zone.
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