State Confirms Positive Outlook for Golm Nord – Important Step for the Development of Potsdam Science Park and New Housing
State Capital Potsdam | The State Capital Potsdam has received important feedback from the Ministry of Agriculture, Environment, Consumer Protection and Climate Action regarding the planned development of Golm Nord. In a letter, the Ministry confirms that approval of the proposed building areas as part of the “Golm Nord” land-use plan amendment is not obviously excluded, and that the reasons put forward by the city are fundamentally comprehensible. This represents explicit recognition of the integrated development approach the city has pursued for years for the Potsdam science location. The Ministry acknowledges that the expansion of Potsdam Science Park, the creation of new jobs, and the linking of science, housing, and infrastructure constitute a strong public interest.
“The Ministry’s feedback is an important signal for the future of Potsdam as a science location. It confirms our approach of developing research, housing, and infrastructure in an integrated way, while at the same time protecting valuable natural and landscape areas,” says Bernd Rubelt, Deputy Mayor for Urban Development, Construction, Economy and Environment.
The Potsdam district of Golm Nord is the central long-term development area for Potsdam Science Park, Brandenburg’s largest science location. The framework plan adopted by the City Council in 2023 provides for compact settlement development, under which particularly valuable natural areas such as the Golmer Luch and the areas around the Herzberg will be permanently kept free of development. The planned building areas are concentrated on agriculturally used land and remain well below what would in principle be possible under Brandenburg’s amended nature conservation law.
In April 2026, the city submitted supplementary documents to the Ministry and requested a renewed assessment. Among other things, these documents set out that Golm Nord is to be developed as an integrated district – with research and commercial areas, housing, and social and technical infrastructure. Reference was also made to the high demand for space at Potsdam Science Park, whose existing development areas are already largely marketed or in concrete implementation.
The Ministry points out that further procedural steps are now required before a final decision can be made. The State Capital Potsdam will prepare the necessary documents and continue the process.
In the long term, Golm Nord is intended to create additional space for science, research, and science-related businesses. At the same time, the project makes an important contribution to meeting Potsdam’s housing needs and to sustainable urban development along high-performance public transport connections.
State Capital Potsdam
– The Lord Mayor –
Press and Communications Department
Friedrich-Ebert-Straße 79/81
14469 Potsdam
Phone: +49 331 289-1264
presse@rathaus.potsdam.de