ÜberFLUSS #5
Right to the river
With the series of events ÜberFLUSS, Flussbad Berlin e.V. dedicated itself to the topic of river bathing and river spas in the larger context of current urban developments. In discussions with stakeholders from science, politics and urban society from Germany and abroad, knowledge and experiences were exchanged and the potentials of a Flussbad for Berlin were discussed.
© Roberto Epple / ERN 2008
Date: Wednesday, 21 September 2016
Introduction
On 21 September 2016, we spoke with our guests about access to clean rivers. Numerous civil society initiatives across Europe are committed to the protection of rivers, sustainable water management and the implementation of corresponding guidelines in water policy. Through high-profile campaigns, they draw attention to existing grievances and campaign for the reclamation of rivers for humans and animals. The BIG JUMP, initiated by Roberto Epple, is one such action that has been drawing attention to the pollution of rivers and demanding the implementation of the European Water Framework Directives by collectively ‘jumping into the water’ in various European cities since 2005.
On this evening, we dealt with the questions of how civil society initiatives make their concerns heard, how they influence political decisions with their actions and what role rivers play in urban development policy.
Programme
Welcome
Jan Edler, Flussbad Berlin e.V., Berlin
Introduction
Leona Lynen, Stadtforscherin, Berlin
Presentation
Roberto Epple, European Rivers Net, Genf, Le Puy
Podium Discussion
Steffi Lemke, MdB, Sprecherin für Naturschutz und Vorsitzende der Parlamentarischen Gruppe Frei-fließende-Flüsse, Bundestagsfraktion Bündnis 90/Die Grünen, BerlinRoberto Epple, European Rivers Net, Genf, Le Puy
Andreas Krüger, belius Stiftung und Initiative StadtNeudenken, Berlin
Die Diskussion wird von Leona Lynen moderiert.
Video © Reframe
Background
The Flussbad Berlin project is a proposal to convert the Spree Canal – the so-called Kupfergraben along Museum Island in the centre of Berlin – which is largely unused today: between the Bode Museum at the western end of the Spree Island and the Foreign Office, a natural swimming pool approximately 850 metres long is to be built in the lower course of the canal. With the help of a gravel filter, the Spree water could be brought up to bathing water quality. At the same time, consideration is being given to creating a stepping stone biotope for the migration of animals and plants in the upper section of the canal at Fischerinsel. The non-profit association Flussbad Berlin was founded in 2012 to push the project forward. Many Berliners find the idea of being able to bathe in the Spree extremely attractive. And politicians have also recognised the importance of the project for Berlin’s urban development: as part of the National Urban Development Projects programme, the Flussbad Berlin association has been commissioned by the federal government and the state of Berlin to further develop the idea.
ANCB in collaboration with Flussbad e.V.
Supporters Flussbad e.V.
Bundesministerium für Umwelt, Naturschutz, Bau und Reaktorsicherheit
Nationale Projekte des Städtebaus
Senatsverwaltung für Stadtentwicklung und Umwelt
Berlin Baut
Partner Flussbad e.V.
Proqm
