Expo Vision 2009 in Berlin: Focus on energy-efficient construction and major new projects

Optimism and a lively exchange of ideas - that is how participants summed up their experience at Expo Vision 2009 in Berlin. According to experts, Berlin is a market showing two separate trends - and remains a city attractive to national and international investors.

Drees & Sommer hosted Expo Vision for the third time to discuss various aspects of the Berlin property market with experts. With similar events being held around the country, on October 15 the Berlin event was attended by Jörg Franzen, member of the Management Board of Gesobau AG, Sabrina Eilers representing Orco Germany, Carsten Sellschopf, Head of the Berlin branch of Hochtief Project Development unit, Stefan Glocker, branch manager of HVB Immobilien Berlin, Robert-Christian Giert branch manager of investa Projektentwicklung Berlin, Sylvia Becker-Daiber, member of Drees & Sommer Berlin management, and Markus Weigold, Managing Director of Drees & Sommer Berlin. The event was facilitated by Dorothee Stöbe, Managing Director of stöbe mehnert Agentur für Kommunikation (communication agency).

Ecological investment in Germany's capital
The City State of Berlin set the agenda with the motto "Invest ecologically in Germany's capital" at Expo Real. Energy-conservation measures and conversions and redevelopment of existing buildings - particularly residential buildings - are a major current trend in the Berlin property market. This is partly the result of the Berlin Senate's stated goal of reducing CO2 emissions to 40% of 1990 levels by 2020. The modernization of 13,000 apartments and the investment of some # 440 million in the Märkische Viertel by Gesobau AG represents the most comprehensive, energy-conservation and integrated modernization project undertaken in a major housing estate in Germany.
Smaller projects and measures - partially triggered by the Second Economic Stimulus Package - are also determining the current direction of the building industry. Berlin is also a leader in the area of alternative energy sources. The 3D Solar Atlas - which Berlin's  Senator for Urban Development presented to partners at Expo Real - shows Berliners how much energy potential there is in the roofs of the city. Data on possible electricity generation, CO2 emission reductions and investment costs can be accessed for the two test areas,  Friedrichstrasse and Lichterfelde. This represents a totally new approach to presenting  energy-efficient construction in Berlin. Whether solar power or cogeneration of heat and power, according to the experts there is no getting away from the use of new and renewable energy sources in Berlin.

Major projects in the capital
Berlin's optimism is also partially attributable to commercial and industrial developments. The participants had lively discussions about the current projects that were the talk of the fair at Expo Real. These included the revitalization of City West, which has been given a boost by the signing of the urban-planning contract for the Zoobogen building complex by the Schörghuber Gruppe at Expo Real. Current developments and the start of the project in the new city district in Heidestrasse following TOTAL Deutschland signing a lease agreement with Vivico, the presentation of the Tempelhof Airport project, and developments at Berlin Brandenburg International are current major projects that are setting the trend and determining Berlin's urban development into the future.

The bottom line: Berlin is creative and optimistic
Development in Berlin is undergoing change. The situation requires optimism, creative ideas and collaboration within and between networks. Even if realization takes longer than originally planned, Expo Real shows clearly that the property market in Berlin is on the move. And according to Expo Real 2009 participant's interest in Berlin remains undiminished.

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