Wildnisstadt Berlin

is an urban ecosystem; packed with kiez microcosms and full of diverse lifeforms. With all its biodiversity, human liveliness, color, darkness, vibrant ecology, social history, and activism - it is a Wildnisstadt. 

Enlaced by the Spree river and emerald lakes, you might spot a kingfisher or catch a glimpse of a diving beaver. Sometimes you’ll find falafel wraps and beer bottles wash up in the Kanal - but there are bees nesting beneath the pavement and bats hanging in the street canopies. This February 17th - 18th, we invite you to the online Dialogue Forum // Workshop on the topic:

What if Berlin was a National Park City?

(Click for  Deutsch  // English)

This project intends to trigger the National Park City movement by unpacking the existing fabric of the city and using collective mapping tools to visualize the possibilities of Berlin’s urban ecological future.

The Wildnisstadt Berlin // National Park City events are for anyone interested in urban ecology in Berlin. It offers participants a platform to network, exchange experiences, and learn new cartography skills, and embrace new environmental perspectives. 

In 2019,  London declared itself National Park City* . We love that idea! There are multitudes of bottom-up initiatives and nature-lovers that envision Berlin's future to be sustainable, social, and a place where all species can thrive. Cities need not only to adapt to climate and environmental change but also exist as places of creative, societal change. The idea of a Wildnisstadt, or National Park City, gives these visions a common narrative and aim: embrace urban environments to be inherently protected and valued.

February 17th, 2021 | 18.00 - 20.00 CET

 Daniel Raven-Ellison:  (National Geographic Emerging Explorer, London National Park City Leader) will present an insight into his work during the official London National Park City Campaign.

 Prof. Dr. Ingo Kowarik:  (Professor for Ecosystem Science & Plant Ecology, TU Berlin & State Commissioner for Nature Conservation, Berlin) will delve into the fascinating urban ecology history that sits deep within the fabric of Berlin.

 Prof. Aletta Bonn:  (Professor for Ecosystem Services, Helmholtz-Centre for Environmental Research – UFZ / University of Jena / iDiv) will reveal the complex interactions of people and other species in the urban ecosystems we are apart of today.

Mindmapping Session: (60 minutes) prep for ecopolitical mapping workshop! One group for English // one for Deutsch

February 18th, 2021 | 18.00 -20.00 CET

 Multispecies Resistance 

In this workshop, you will take part in an ecopolitical mapping approach, that will lead to an illustrative, multispecies map of Berlin. You will engage in a series of questions, through which the participant's common environmental knowledge of Berlin will be translated into a series of maps. The mission is to visually translate the existing rich biodiversity and natural complexity of Berlin, into something tangible, educational, and excitingly engaged with. This workshop will be one of many held around Berlin, through physical and virtual meetings.

Ecopolitical Mapping Session: (60 minutes) One group for English // one for Deutsch

This event welcomed any folks interested in Berlin’s urban ecology: scientists, artists, activists, researchers, environmentalists, urbanists, ecologists, or local citizens that call Berlin home. An academic background was not required for participation in this workshop.

Follow the links below to get involved in the first steps:

• Sign the  Universal National Park City Charter 
• Fill in the Network Form to stay updated
• Get in touch:  cartography@rivercollective.org 

The project is organized by  Blühender Campus FU  and members of the  River Collective . If you have any questions, get in touch:  cartography@rivercollective.org