Public space in Berlin is used for private profit. Does that rob or enrich the citizens? From business-run toilets to footpath vehicles and food sales in parks, we share our space with commerce. Can we also use private spaces like empty malls as public property? Radio Spaetkauf partners with the Europäische Akademie Berlin to invite an intelligent panel of activists and politicians to discuss the good and bad uses of public space for commercial gain.  

Sophie Menzel is a big fan of public toilets. She raises awareness of the need for more and better toilets in Berlin through the group Buschfunk Bündnis e.V., with the slogan "Fair peeing for all!" Sophie says the current privately-run toilet system isn't good enough, and is especially failing people without penises. She wants to see more "missoirs" - feminized pissoirs (urninals). More at: https://buschfunk-buendnis.com/ 

Tuba Bozkurt is the Green party's member for Gesundbrunnen in the Berlin parliament. She is the Green Faction's spokesperson for industry, digital economy and anti-discrimination. Tuba says some commerce should be allowed in public space, but it has to be fair and accessible for all. https://tubabozkurt.de/  

Tamara Lüdke represents Lichtenberg at Berlin's Abgeordnetenhaus as a member of the SPD and is the party's spokeswoman on the topics of animal welfare, consumer protection, club culture, drug policy and development policy. Tamara says the city wants to do more to keep footpaths clear of obstacles, and is considering new ways to make toilets in private businesses open to the public. https://www.tamara-luedke.de/  

Roland Stimpel is the voice of pedestrians in Berlin. Through the association FUSS (Fachverband Fußverkehr Deutschland FUSS e.V.) he advocates for better footpaths, less vehicles, stricter control of shared scooters and bikes, and safer street crossings. He says the solutions already exist, but need to be better enforced through stricter fines for infringement. More at: https://www.fuss-ev.de/  

Hosted Daniel Stern: https://www.sterndaniel.com/   Hosted by Joel Dullroy: http://www.joeldullroy.com/   Editing & Mastering: Kaleb Wentzel-Fisher: www.recordedvoices.com  

Hosted at House of Color, a vibrant community initiative with passion for sports, music and cultural expression, currently at a pop-up space in Gneisenaustr. https://www.hoco.world  

Co-Produced by Europäische Akademie Berlin's Europe Behind The Headlines series, with kind support of the Federal Foreign Office and EU (CERV): https://www.eab-berlin.eu/europe-behind-the-headlines-2024/  

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