Berlin’s Emmauswald faces a battle between urban growth and nature

A forest teeming with rare wildlife stands in the way of Berlin’s housing boom. Will a compromise save Emmauswald—or is it too little, too late?

, and Administrator

2025 November 7 . 7:01 PM

1 min read

In the picture we can see some trees and near the historical construction with a bridge.

Berlin’s Emmauswald faces a battle between urban growth and nature

The future of Emmauswald, a valuable ecological area in Berlin, hangs in the balance. The citizens' initiative 'Save Emmauswald' is fighting against investor-driven urban development, with the woodland serving as a symbol of resistance. The Berlin Senate is now revising its zoning proposal, potentially preserving part of the forest.

Emmauswald, home to various raptors, bats, and rare insects like the sparrowhawk and blue-winged grasshopper, is under threat from development plans. The revised project aims to reduce land consumption by making the design more compact and higher-density, while maintaining a minimum distance of 40 meters from the Britz Tunnel to avoid structural risks.

Grün Berlin GmbH, involved in the revision of the development plan, is reassessing the timeline for public involvement in the process. An updated environmental impact report is expected in the coming months. Under the new compromise, roughly half of Emmauswald could be saved, with taller but less sprawling construction. The dispute over Emmaus Forest will continue to serve as a benchmark for balancing housing construction with nature conservation in a growing city.

The revised plans for Emmauswald show a commitment to preserving nature while addressing housing needs. The final outcome will depend on the updated environmental impact report and public involvement. The dispute highlights the importance of finding a balance between urban development and nature conservation.