The neighborhood "Hellersdorfer Promenade" is a part of the large housing estate Hellersdorf, built in the 1980's at Berlin's northerneast outskirt. The landscape "Hönower Weiherkette" forms a border to the north, the green space at the Zerbster Strasse adjoins in the east, the bay at the underground line bounds the area to the south and the Hellersdorf manor and the Havelländer Ring border to the west.
The district is divided into two residential areas, on both sides along the main traffic route Stendaler Strasse, and the district and trading center "Helle Mitte" in the south. Whereas the residential areas are built according to the industrial
WBS 70 standard of the
GDR, the area "Helle Mitte" is the result of an urban planning competition in the 90's.
The large housing estate has image problems, although tenant satisfaction is still high. The residents particularly appreciate the close proximity to the urban-rural area, the numerous shopping facilities and good access to public transport. The Neighborhood Management works within a dense network of socio-cultural organizations and projects.
The Hellersdorfer Promenade is a comparatively young neighborhood. Unemployment is above average, and an increasing number of children and youth depends on state aid. The demand for housing and commercial space has been on the decline, notably in the "Europa-Viertel". Due to the owner's insolvency, past agreements made on rehabilitation measures are no longer binding.
Facing a loss of purchasing power and competing retail business locations, the "Helle Mitte" also struggles with impending vacancies of commercial space.
Plots of vacant land of abandoned public facility areas and failed projects represent a potential for development, however, at the moment they rather contribute to a feeling of visual and atmospheric devaluation among the residents. In 2005, the Neighborhood Management was introduced and expanded in 2009. Since 2005 and up to 2009, Euro 924,800 were allocated; top priorities are the improvement of education and employment. To finance the investment project "Öko-Würfel" (eco-cube) additional Euro 256,400 were provided.
Selection of projects carried out to date
The open-air gallery "We at the Hellersdorfer Promenade Neighborhood" is a participatory art project. More than 70 portrays of neighborhood residents were put up between the buildings in the Hellersdorfer Promenade. The portrays were drawn by children, youth and adults during numerous painting workshops.
With the "Fabulous Dragon" a very special water playground was created by the interaction of landscape architects, artists and residents.
In fall 2006 the former daycare center at the Tangermünder Strasse was redesigned into the "Garden at the Beerenpfuhl".
Neighborhood residents were treated preferentially in the allocation of the lots. The tenants can design their gardens as they like and contribute to the enhancement of the area at the same time.
The annual promenade buffet, which has now become a ritual in the neighborhood, is a joint project of many facilities where children invite their parents to share a healthy meal. The "Bunte Haus" "colorful house" is a new family and neighborhood meeting place.
The previously vacant corner shop, now a thoroughly refurbished place, offers a wide range of recreational and counseling services for families. Close co-operation of daycare centers, schools and parents is the education initiative's objective. A locally oriented spelling book and a joint theater project by daycare centers and elementary schools support the children.
