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Protest against deforestation: Citizens defend themselves for the Spree!
Protests in Brandenburg: Citizens' initiative fights against the construction of an industrial area on valuable forest land near Fürstenwalde.
Protest against deforestation: Citizens defend themselves for the Spree!
Things are boiling in Brandenburg because the plans for a huge industrial area raise questions that concern many citizens. The beach at Berkenbrück on the Brandenburg Spree, a popular destination for river watchers and water lovers, could soon be replaced by a 430 hectare forest. Instead, a larger commercial area is to be built there than the Tesla “Gigafactory” in Grünheide, like that taz reported. The Fürstenwalde city council and the Langewahl municipal council have already decided on changes to the land use plan, which is further fueling citizens' concerns.
On Wednesday evening, a citizens' initiative was formed that would like to defend itself against these far-reaching plans. Heike Christoph from Nabu Scharmützelsee expressed clear concerns about the drinking water supply in the next ten years. The forest, which is currently secured as a “forest”, represents an important ecosystem for the region. Nabu has highlighted its importance for water storage and for filtering rainwater for the Spree. Because such an area is not only an ecosystem, but also a lifeline for local flora and fauna.
Development plans and land use planning
As part of the current planning, the topic of land use planning comes into play. This regulates a variety of possible uses for areas and is therefore crucial for the future of the region. Questions like “Where do people live?” or “Where are which infrastructures?” are treated in the process. It is an administrative instrument weighed by elected bodies, ensuring that private and public concerns are balanced.
The legally binding development plans and the effective land use plan can be viewed online on the city of Fürstenwalde/Spree website. Maps and aerial photographs can help to get an overview of the planned projects, and every citizen can find out about the current plans at any time. The city's geoportal provides a visual representation and is a useful resource for tracking the development of plans Fürstenwalde/Spree.
Concerns and resistance
Concerns about the forest, described as a “structured forest with a lot of regeneration,” are not unfounded. Only a small strip of banks on the Spree has been designated as a “Spreetal nature reserve” since 2021, and experts point out the need to urgently protect the forest. The planned dezoning for the development of a large-scale commercial-industrial precautionary site (GIV) in Fürstenwalde Ost could not only endanger the biodiversity of the region, but also negatively impact the water balance of the Spree.
In a joint appeal, the Greens and Nabu are calling on the city of Fürstenwalde to publish a confidential feasibility study that takes citizens' concerns seriously. In recent years, the lack of large commercial space in Brandenburg has increased significantly. The location in Fürstenwalde Ost is described as the “crown jewel” for investors, with only around 22 hectares currently available for commercial and industrial development. This suggests that the plans cannot be implemented without conflict and resistance.
The citizens' initiative receives support from various groups, including Nabu, the Green League, the Greens, the Left and the ÖDP, which shows that concerns are widespread among the population and that many people care about the future of their homeland. The next steps in this process will certainly be accompanied by lively interest and numerous discussions.