The City of Short Distances
With the extension of the Berlin S-Bahn network, Stahnsdorf will become part of Berlin’s immediate metropolitan catchment. The project proposes a sustainable mixed-use urban quarter that combines metropolitan accessibility with the qualities of the surrounding rural landscape.
The masterplan follows the principle of a “city of short distances”, creating a compact and walkable neighborhood with a largely car-free core. Decentralized mobility hubs and neighborhood parking structures reduce car dependency, while an intermodal mobility hub, urban plazas, and a pedestrian and bicycle bridge connect the station district with the town center and surrounding residential areas.
A continuous green infrastructure forms the backbone of the development. Ecological corridors and recreational landscapes extend into the neighborhood as “green fingers”, linking residential courtyards with the surrounding landscape. A multifunctional community boulevard integrates sports facilities, play areas, social spaces, and biodiversity-enhancing habitats, complemented by community gardens, orchards, and a youth park.
Conceived as a climate-resilient sponge city, the district incorporates integrated blue-green infrastructure, including infiltration systems, retention areas, permeable surfaces, and climate-adapted planting strategies to manage stormwater, enhance biodiversity, and improve microclimatic conditions.
The development accommodates approximately 1,200 housing units in a variety of typologies, including apartment buildings, single-family homes, and cooperative and multi-generational housing models. Around 40% of the housing stock is designated as affordable housing.
Building density gradually decreases from east to west, mediating between the metropolitan character of the station area and the smaller scale of the existing residential fabric and rural landscape. By integrating housing, mobility, landscape, and community infrastructure, the project creates a vibrant and future-oriented district between nature and metropolis.