“Orientierungshilfe Wassersensibel planen in Berlin” is a planning guide published by the Berliner Regenwasseragentur, the Berlin Rainwater Agency, and aimed at integrating rainwater management early into urban planning processes. The resource is focused on Berlin, Germany, and reflects the city’s policy shift toward decentralized rainwater management as part of climate adaptation. It is presented on the agency’s website as practical guidance for planners, public authorities, developers, and other stakeholders involved in spatial planning and construction.
The guide’s central contribution is procedural rather than technical. It explains how rainwater management can be embedded at an early stage in planning workflows, who should be involved, and which steps help avoid conflicts later in project development. According to the material, it supports a “purpose-driven, participatory and integrated” approach and includes tools such as tables, diagrams, sample text modules for service specifications, checklists, and short reference sections. It is designed to make the planning process more transparent and to help users identify suitable rainwater measures based on site-specific constraints and objectives.
The guide draws on experience from recent planning processes in Berlin, especially larger new urban districts. It also reflects Berlin’s regulatory context, including the city’s goal to reduce direct discharge into the combined sewer system and to prioritize on-site handling of rainwater where possible. The resource is therefore both a synthesis of local planning practice and a translation of policy requirements into practical steps for implementation.
The Berliner Regenwasseragentur functions as an information exchange, advisory body, networking platform, and dialogue forum. Its work covers rainwater management in the built environment, with a focus on reducing flooding risks, improving urban water quality, and supporting climate-resilient urban development.