EU policies shape many facets of the work of the Senate Department for Urban Development, Building and Housing: For example, individual European regulations and directives affect aspects of urban development, construction and housing and have an impact on the work of the Senate Department. In addition to binding EU law, European strategies, guidelines and funding programmes influence the work of the Department and require European action.
The Senate Department is living up to that responsibility: it follows current developments at European level closely and is involved in negotiations and legislative processes. It is vital that EU decision-making reflects the interests of Berlin since the regional and communal level are responsible for most of the implementation of EU legislation. It must therefore be designed to suit the local challenges. The Office of the State of Berlin in Brussels supports the Senate Department with this work.