Social space orientation “Sozialraumorientierung” is a structural and action concept based on the Handbook of Social Space Orientation “Handbuch zur Sozialraumorientierung”, according to which the needs and resources of the residents of a social space form the basis for further steps to assist the social space “Sozialraum”. The social space conditions should be shaped in such a way that even residents in precarious situations can cope well. To this end, the deficits, potential, and resources of a social space must first be analyzed jointly. In addition, citizens should be activated and empowered to participate in the events occurring in the social space and thus help shape their living space. The implementation of social space orientation “Sozialraumorientierung” is interdisciplinary and space-related, carried out in collaboration with the urban district coordinators “Stadtteilkoordinationen„. Various actors in the social space “Sozialraum”, i.e., administration, institutions, and civil society, are networked and work together in regular exchange to improve living conditions.
Social space-oriented planning coordination unit „Sozialraumorientierte Planungskoordination“
In the district of Friedrichshain-Kreuzberg, the Social Space-Oriented Planning Coordination unit “Sozialraumorientierte Planungskoordination” (SPK) is responsible for initiating and supporting the processes necessary to implement the above-mentioned concept. The organizational unit is not affiliated with any particular department, but works on an interdisciplinary basis. The aim of the SPK is to promote active and integrative cooperation between all departments and actors operating in the social space. To this end, the SPK organizes and coordinates regular inter-agency exchanges. The SPK supports planning and implementation-related coordination within the public administration and is the point of contact for local actors and district managers. In addition, the SPK collects and processes data on the social infrastructure and social situation in the district regions and summarizes this in reports.