Photo: Financial Times Germany
In April 2007, slumped in the dock of the shipping company Riedel, part of the canal wall. The disclosed to the general public what the authorities have known for a long time: Much of the canal wall caused by natural weathering of the bank under construction were already weakened were broken down by the substantial increase in motorized passenger boat traffic. Instead of dragging the responsible owners to account, the Water and Shipping Authority Berlin responded by announcing now 200 trees for alleged "imminent danger" to cut. In addition, as part of a planned redevelopment of further deforestation along the entire shore was announced. Alerted by neighbors spontaneously formed a citizens' initiative that could achieve this is through the collection of more than 20,000 protest signatures that only a few trees fell victim to the chainsaw. Some leaders from the Maritime Administration had to vacate their offices.
Surprised by the dimension of resistance from the population, said the Water and Shipping Administration initially prepared to discuss the issue of sewer rehabilitation in the context of a mediation process. Various interest groups and administrations as well as some hand-picked citizens were involved. By skillful maneuvering and Exclusion of critical voices reached the office that very soon from a holistic and comprehensive sewer rehabilitation was no more talk. Rather complicated one, the citizen representatives in discussions about technical details of temporary protection and tree care measures that ultimately above all the other smooth running of the conventional passenger ships should secure. Announced a list of criteria for the sustainable reform was so vague and listed building heavy, that the main interest of the owners: the maturity of their old diesel ships - the destroyer actual channel - as long as possible to exhaust was seriously threatened at any time.
... and now we shape the future!
fact is that there are already emission-free alternatives for mobility in the truest sense of the word "setting" oil age - even on the water. The conservation of marine diesel cycle is therefore just as useless and harmful, as the attempt to prolonged Terms of nuclear power plants the way into the solar age and delay in consistently natural cycles oriented economies. Mobility from renewable energy sources, it is our opinion that absolutely no alternative. The faster we are the dinosaurs of the fossil age separate the better for us, our environment and for healthy economic development. The "horizon Deep Water" by the sinking of the oil rig in the Gulf of Mexico caused oil spill reminds us that the use of oil is linked with risks of catastrophic proportions.
We are all called
The global economic crisis, which is not only a financial crisis and an environmental crisis but a crisis of politics, still is lacking the courage to take resolute steps towards sustainable development will be required our intervention. Until now largely vested rights and conservation is being operated. What is the retention of the nuclear energy and the support of overcapacity in the auto industry at the federal level is reflected in Berlin in highway construction, the ever-rapacious commercialization of land and houses, the clear-cutting of valuable trees, and not least reflected in a concept-free reorganization of the Landwehr Canal. Therefore, we are all called, to exert public pressure on policy makers and to develop our own ideas and visions of a better city in a better world
photo:. Jan Gessler
With the paddle parade demonstrates the Coalition for Action "Landwehrkanal for all!" This year marks the third time for a city development, the global goal of a humane and environmentally friendly short. is a sustainable development requires
The Alliance specifically calls for an integrated urban development Redevelopment concept for the channel, which includes the following aspects:
- priority to emission-free transportation on the canal and along the canal
- improvement of amenity values and recreation opportunities on the canal
- improve the ecological function of the channel and cross-free as an urban nature experience area
- foot and cycle paths on both sides of channel
- measures to improve water quality
- barrier free access from the shore and docks for disabled
We call on the state of Berlin, at the same time initiate the development of Tempelhof public parks, the development of an urban design plan for the canal, which meets these requirements. To the initiation of proceedings to temporary security measures are carried out so that natural and recreational use as little as possible are affected. In the prep areas are dynamic emission measurements are made.
Come on third July to the paddle parade and bring your friends and family! Meeting: Urbanhafen 13 clock
