Biotope Strategy, Berlin
City-scale green infrastructure to deliver ecological services

Introduced in 1994, the ‘Biotope Area Factor’ strategy aims to retain densities whilst developing the city’s green infrastructure. Plans of existing habitat networks have been prepared covering the whole city, and dividing it into character areas which include:

• Central city (intense use and densely populated) – maintain densities whilst retaining or increasing areas available to nature.
• Transition areas (mixed uses including residential, industry and infrastructure) – provide habitats that can serve a wider area. Linkages are prioritised.
• Landscape elements (periphery of the urban area) – ensure larger habitats with `fingers´ penetrate into the urban area. These are valuable species reservoirs.

The structure and extent of vegetation in urban areas can have a major impact on temperature, humidity and run-off. The ‘biotope’ strategy therefore seeks to develop a green infrastructure that delivers air conditioning, microclimate control and flood attenuation.

The different climate zones within the city have been mapped, illustrating variations in air temperature, humidity and soil moisture. The city has been colour coded into five broad zones, clearly identifies the moderating effects of greenspaces.

The strategy enables a citywide perspective to be taken, enabling identification of important linkages, mosaic patterns and species reservoirs. From a users perspective, this enables them to see how their involvement fits into the wider habitat network.

Sources:
Berlin Department of Urban Development (1995) Valuable areas for flora and fauna, see map pop-up, http://www.stadtentwicklung.berlin.de/umwelt/umweltatlas/ei503.htm