The neighborhood "Falkenhagener Feld-Ost" is situated in the northwest of the Berlin district "Spandau" and borders with Pionierstrasse in the north, Siegener Strasse in the west and Falkenseer Chaussee in the south. The settlement, like the associated area
Falkenhagener Feld-West, was established as of 1960. Together with its western counterpart, it constitutes the oldest large housing estate.
The neighborhood is dominated by buildings arranged in rows, skyscrapers and large building complexes with spacious open areas in between. The center of the neighborhood is situated at Westerwaldstrasse / Falkenseer Chaussee / Siegener Strasse, with shopping and central infrastructural facilities such as churches, a club house, the primary school, daycare centers and the district library. The area is facing various socio-economic issues. A large proportion of its residents are affected by unemployment. Every second child lives in a household depending on state aid. There is a high turnover of residents in the area.
Above average earners have left, whereas many low income families and resettlers have moved in. The high fluctuation has had a negative impact on the organically grown neighborhood networks, which have basically disappeared, resulting in a feeling of growing alienation among the residents. Many are talking about feeling unsafe, and that public areas had lost their appeal to them.
Over the past years, segregation has gradually increased within the neighborhood. Some buildings are primarily occupied by resettlers of German origin and by Turkish-speaking migrant families.
The social integration of the different nationalities is often complicated by language barriers and cultural differences. Not only is the relationship of the different groups of migrants a diffi cult one, also the relationship between migrants in general and the "old" tenants who have lived in the area for a long time is tense and marked by willful isolation of all parties involved.
Since the demarcation of the area in 2005, Approximately Euro 1,359,105 has been granted in project funding.
Selection of projects carried out to date
"Families in the Center"
The focus is on families in the project "Families in the Center" (FIZ). Funds from the "Socially Integrative City" program enabled the establishment of a central drop-in center for families in 2008. In addition to providing a central meeting point for the families living in the neighborhood, the model project complements and connects a wide range of familyfriendly services.
Establishment of an outdoor-meeting point "with young people for young people"
Based on the fact that there were basically no meeting points for young people in the Falkenhagener Feld neighborhood, such a meeting point was designed by the young people themselves, supported by professional designers. The construction works were also carried out by the young people.
Final exams for everyone
In order to reduce school-dropouts, various components including dedicated classes for students working towards their final exams, individual coaching and additional study groups in various fields, were introduced at the high school to increase the number of students who pass their final exams. The range of services provided also includes a placement agency for students who are looking for an apprenticeship.
Sports festival "Sports from the FF"
The sports festival "Sports from the FF" has been organized on an annual basis since the introduction of the Neighborhood Management. Numerous small and larger sports groups and clubs present their activities within a call to action and fundraising campaign where everyone can have fun, but where also donations for free membership of needy children and adolescents in sports clubs are collected.
Whiteboards
To make sure that disadvantaged children have the chance to benefit from modern and innovative teaching and learning methodologies and materials, both schools in the neighborhood were equipped with interactive whiteboards for all classrooms. Advanced vocational training is offered not only to teaching staff but also to parents so as to empower them to participate more effectively in social communication by "striking the right chords".
