AKS Gemeinwohl

Berlin

Die Arbeit- und Koordinierungsstruktur für gemeinwohlorientierte Stadtentwicklung in Friedrichshain-Kreuzberg [AKS Gemeinwohl]

The work and coordination structure for Gemeinwohl-oriented urban development in Friedrichshain-Kreuzberg [AKS Gemeinwohl]

Commissioned by the Berlin district municipality of Friedrichshain-Kreuzberg (Department for Building, Planning and Facility Management) in October 2018, a network of urban activists and experts initiated and tested a support structure intended to encourage and coordinate long-term cooperation between the public administration, NGOs, and political spheres of urban development.

AKS Gemeinwohl is continuously testing and establishing new forms of cooperation and acts as a conducer for co-produced urban development, where the structure can be seen as a “third space” for those involved. The team see themselves and the space of AKS as an innovative instrument for the promotion of a diverse urban society and sustainable land policy, as well as for safeguarding Gemeinwohl-oriented projects and spaces.

The team includes five permanent positions, two of which are at the District Councilors Office Friedrichshain-Kreuzberg working from within the public administration in the area of citizen participation. The other three positions are outside the public administration office, at the association Gemeinwohlorientierte Stadtentwicklung e.V. (funded by the Friedrichshain-Kreuzberg District Office). This association is the initiative platform and civil society basis of AKS Gemeinwohl. A steering committee made up of stakeholders from district politics, public administration, and organized civil society monitors and controls the work and orientation of AKS Gemeinwohl.