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Potsdam promotes cooperation in the Berlin area – mission statement adopted!
On July 9, 2025, a new model for inter-municipal cooperation in Berlin-Brandenburg was adopted on the Friendship Island in Potsdam in order to meet the challenges of the region by 2030.
Potsdam promotes cooperation in the Berlin area – mission statement adopted!
On July 9, 2025, a new course for cooperation in the Berlin-Brandenburg metropolitan region was set on the Friendship Island in Potsdam. The mission statement for the Berlin-Brandenburg Municipal Neighborhood Forum (KNF e.V.) was adopted and is intended to shape the development in this dynamic area in the coming years. Challenges such as population growth by 2030, which will bring with it increasing demand for living space, daycare centers, schools, green spaces 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’s something going on!” This quote from Andreas Igel, the mayor of Ludwigsfelde and chairman of the KNF, reflects the urgency and importance of inter-municipal cooperation. The KNF sees itself as a platform for intensified dialogue between the cities, municipalities and districts of the region. With a large number of partners, including the Joint State Planning Department and the Berlin-Brandenburg Transport Association, the aim is to have a trusting and voluntary exchange that takes place on an equal footing, as the information from knf-ev.de shows.
Focus on professional collaboration
In addition to urban and surrounding area development, the KNF's subject areas include, among other things, transport, infrastructure, economy, housing as well as the protection and development of green and open space. These fields are not only crucial for the quality of life of citizens, but also for the sustainable development of the region. Bernd Rubelt, alderman of the state capital Potsdam, invited everyone interested to actively participate in the KNF, thereby highlighting the important role of the forum in overcoming regional challenges.
The founding of the KNF e.V. dates back to the 1990s, when the aim was to promote an informal exchange between municipal actors. Today, the forum has established itself as a unifying authority that is firmly anchored in the region's political landscape and strengthens inter-communal 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 raises interesting perspectives that were presented to the public on March 6, 2025. Such studies are important to make optimal use of space and ensure the quality of life of residents. The discussion about intermunicipal and regional cooperation is becoming increasingly relevant in research, as demonstrated in the publication of the Academy for Spatial Research and Regional Planning, which describes the change from hierarchical structures to a network of cooperative relationships (ssoar.info).
Overall, it is clear that the path to successful urban-surrounding development in Berlin and Brandenburg is full of challenges, but also offers many opportunities. A collaborative approach could be the key to reconciling all the needs and demands of the region. The coming years will be crucial in determining how these demands are met and how the region can further develop its unique quality of life.