Key findings

In the quantitative part of the study, a total of 30 topics were identified, 28 of which showed a semantic connection of words and contributions. 19 of the 30 themes were assigned to a coherent value. In addition to the values of “economic development”, “social justice”, “ecology” and “quality of life”, the value of safety and health was also identified. The following example word clouds show the most probable words within the values ecology and health/safety with increasing size.

The spatial analysis of the contributions that could be assigned to a unique value reveals several value conflicts that can be represented by means of the sustainability/ vitality prism developed by Godschalk (2004). Especially in the new urban development areas such as Grasbrook and Spreehafenviertel, several conflicts overlap. The Green Cities Conflict plays a role here, which addresses the predominance of nature versus the built environment in the city. Another example of possible value conflicts is the Gentrification Conflict, which contrasts the gentrification of a part of the city with the displacement and exclusion of certain social groups. Although the development of the aforementioned urban spaces has yet to be completed to a large extent, the citizens’ contributions here reflect, on the one hand, the desire for social housing, but also for avant-garde architecture.

Based on these results, the expert workshops provided further insights. In particular, the distinc- tion between the values of security (defined as the absence of fear) and health should be mentioned, as well as the fundamental rejection of any kind of change as a value (conservatism). Furthermore, livability can be interpreted as an overarching concept that includes many different values that may well be in conflict with each other. Examples are cleanliness, sports, recreation, tranquility and aesthetics, of which the last two in particular are in “drawback of beauty” conflict. Other identified conflicts are the “dangers of nature” conflict between the values of security and ecology and the “externalities conflict” between health and economic development.

The combination of both research parts shows that the values