Soil

What types of soil do we encounter in Berlin? And what parent materials form the basis for the soils on which we walk? Take a look at our “Soil Associations” topic. Learn more about the distribution and frequency of different soil associations here. More information

What’s the difference between a high-quality and a low-quality soil? Read our topic “Soil-Scientific Characteristic Values” to find out what aspects come into play and what they reveal about the soils of the city. More information

A soil is not only evaluated based on its properties. The criteria used for assessing its role in the natural balance and in climate protection also come into play. Discover different soil characteristics and how to evaluate them here. More information

Humans, animals, plants and organisms benefit from soil’s many functions. Visit “Soil Functions” to find out more about them. Discover how soil can be used, including its natural functions, such as groundwater protection. Six maps outline how these properties are developed in Berlin. More information

The “Planning Advice on Soil Protection” offers guidance on how to meet the demand for new housing and infrastructure whilst also protecting the soil. Soils that are particularly worthy of protection in Berlin as well as planning requirements and measures for soil protection are presented on a map. More information

Be it houses, streets, industrial areas – construction measures leave soils covered left right and centre. They are asphalted, paved or built on. Land consumption is to be kept to a minimum, in order to protect nature and the microclimate. Get right into Berlin’s data on impervious coverage here. More information

In order to maintain a better balance, whenever a new area receives an impervious cover, the cover of a different area is removed, if possible. The cover is removed to restore the soil and its natural functions. Discover here which areas are suitable and where they are located. More information

Did you know? Berlin’s largest contiguous peatland area of just under 200 hectares is the Gosener Wiesen located in Treptow-Köpenick. Learn more about these extraordinary biotopes and access background information on why peatlands are of utmost importance to the climate here. More information

Berlin’s landscape was formed during the Ice Age. A mix of deposits from this and other eras can therefore be found below ground. Check out the “Geological Outline” to learn more about the geological units of the city. More information

Berlin’s urban area was first geologically mapped between 1875 and 1883. In some places, this data is more relevant than ever: they unearth landscape contexts some of which vanished from the cityscape decades ago. Dive into our topic “Geological Map 1 : 25,000” to learn more. More information

Did you know that parts of Berlin are grounded on dune sand? Or that the properties of the ground below the surface differ across the city? Check out the “Engineer’s Geological Map” to find out more! More information

It’s hard to believe: in 1928, about 10,000 hectares of land in and around Berlin were used as sewage farms, i.e. areas for wastewater field treatment. Read up on the concept behind these farms, their history and what has happened to former sewage farms in the chapter “Former Sewage Farms”. More information