Potsdam is driving cooperation in the Berlin area - mission statement decided!

Potsdam is driving cooperation in the Berlin area - mission statement decided!

On July 9, 2025, a new course for cooperation in the Berlin-Brandenburg metropolitan region was taken on the friendship island in Potsdam. The mission statement for the municipal neighborhood forum Berlin-Brandenburg (KNF e.V.) has been decided and is intended to shape the development in this dynamic space in the coming years. The challenges such as population growth by 2030, which brings in an increasing demand for living space, daycare centers, schools, green areas and other areas, are at the top of the agenda. According to barnim.de, the relationships between the capital and the surrounding municipalities have become increasingly diverse, which raises many new questions.

"There is something!" This quote from Andreas Igel, the mayor of Ludwigsfelde and chairman of the KNF, reflects the urgency and the importance of inter -municipal cooperation. The KNF sees itself as a platform for the intensified dialogue between the cities, municipalities and counties of the region. With a large number of partners, including the joint state planning department and the transport association Berlin-Brandenburg, a trusting and voluntary exchange is sought, which takes place at eye level, as the information from knf-ev.de shows.

technical collaboration in focus

The subject areas of the KNF include, in addition to the city-Umland development, traffic, infrastructure, economy, living as well as the protection and development of green and freedom. These fields are not only crucial for the quality of life of the citizens, but also for a sustainable development of the region. Bernd Rubelt, a member of the state capital Potsdam, invited all interested parties to actively participate in the KNF and thus emphasize the important role of the forum in coping with regional challenges.

The foundation of the KNF e.V. goes back to the 1990s when it came to promoting an informal exchange between the municipal actors for the first time. Today the forum has established itself as a connecting instance that is firmly anchored in the political landscape of the region and strengthens inter -municipal cooperation.

A look into the future

Population growth in the region is not only a challenge, but also an opportunity for growth and progress. A recently published potential study on the Berlin outer ring throws off interesting perspectives that were presented to the public on March 6, 2025. Such studies are important to optimally use the room and to secure the quality of life of the residents. The discussion about inter -municipal and regional cooperation is increasingly relevant in research, as shown in the publication of the Academy of Spatial Research and National Planning, which describes the change from hierarchical structures into a network of cooperative relationships (ssoar.info).

Overall, it can be seen that the path to a successful city-circular development in Berlin and Brandenburg is full of challenges, but also offers many opportunities. A collaborative approach could be the key to reconcile all the needs and demands of the region. The coming years will be decisive for how these claims are met and how the region can further develop its unique quality of life.