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Berlin referendum: car-free city center within reach!
A referendum in Berlin could drastically reduce car traffic in the city center. A ruling by the Constitutional Court now enables the next step.
Berlin referendum: car-free city center within reach!
The Berlin Constitutional Court decided on Wednesday morning: The referendum “Berlin car-free” is permissible. This initiative plans to drastically reduce private car traffic within the S-Bahn ring. The goal is to limit the use of private cars to just twelve days a year in the city center. This could soon create a completely new traffic pattern in the capital rbb24 reported.
The makers of the initiative, who call themselves the “Berlin car-free referendum,” see the court’s decision as an important step. They are convinced that this will make the city more livable. Marie Wagner from the initiative emphasized that the referendum was necessary because the Senate has not shown any significant changes in transport policy for years. According to her, the referendum was started because citizens finally wanted to give clear direction to their concerns. The Senate, on the other hand, expressed concerns and considers the plans to be constitutionally problematic, as this could represent a strong encroachment on the federal government's powers daily news reported.
The details of the referendum
After the court decision, the initiative can now take the necessary steps to put the referendum into action. In order to mobilize eligible citizens to vote, at least seven percent of those eligible to vote - which corresponds to around 170,000 people - must register in the lists within four months. If this succeeds, a referendum will follow, which will run like a regular election. The new regulations will come into force after a transition period of four years. Streets that are classified as “auto-reduced” remain accessible to buses, emergency services, delivery and commercial traffic as well as garbage collection, while private individuals are severely restricted.
The traffic figures are now alarming: the federal government has set itself the goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions in the transport sector from 146 million tons to 85 million tons by 2030. Greenhouse gas neutrality should even be achieved by 2045. These ambitious political goals not only require technological progress - they also require a rethinking of mobility behavior Federal Environment Agency determines.
Environmental protection in focus
Citizen mobility plays a crucial role in participation, economic exchange and prosperity. At the same time, however, the current transport structures lead to considerable environmental pollution. Motorized transport in Germany causes around a fifth of total greenhouse gas emissions. With the planned reduction in car traffic in the city center, the initiative not only wants to increase the quality of life, but also make a contribution to environmental protection.
Mobility researchers like Andreas Knie have also commented positively on the goals of the referendum, but criticize the bureaucratic regulation of free travel. However, critical voices also come from politics: Johannes Kraft from the CDU describes the demands as “much too far-reaching” and questions the feasibility of the controls.
A celebration with a DJ set by activists from the initiative is intended to further raise awareness of the issue. Further developments remain exciting, because the challenge of reducing traffic congestion in a large city like Berlin is at stake not only for the future of urban life, but also for the achievement of climate goals.