Data Hub Berlin

Data Hub Berlin establishes a digital infrastructure for the harmonisation, processing and preparation of administrative data. This central open system not only creates significant potential for administrative work. It also enables open data to be prepared in a way that is understandable for decision-makers and the public. It represents an important step toward a smart, data-driven city.

How does the Data Hub Berlin work?

Many cities are currently developing urban data platforms to process and utilise large volumes of data collected by municipalities. These datasets include, for example, geospatial information, real-time data, statistical data and other open data generated in administrative processes. The objective is to make these datasets discoverable and usable across departments, avoid duplication and protect sensitive information.

How can municipal administrations and administration-related actors collect, process, share and present data efficiently and make them usable for new solutions?

The approach taken by Data Hub Berlin, as with other urban data platforms, is a modular system built from open source components. These components realise their potential in combination and address, among others, the following challenges:

• Data management: The platform enables administrative data to be managed through databases. Standardised APIs are intended to facilitate straightforward integration and data exchange between different systems. Existing standardised APIs and systems within the State of Berlin can also be connected to the platform.

• ETL processes and data pipelines: When data from multiple source systems are transferred into a target system, it is often necessary to transform them during the process. Data Hub provides tools to carry out these ETL processes, extract, transform and load, in order to improve data quality, harmonise datasets and enrich them where required.

• Visualizations and mapping applications: A central function of Data Hub is to make data usable. Through dashboard tools and mapping applications, data can be visualised and presented in a way that supports interpretation and decision-making.

Sovereignty over data and products

Until now, public administration has often faced difficulties in initiating and maintaining its own data projects over the long term. External service providers frequently had to be commissioned. With Data Hub, ownership remains within the administration. Data can be updated directly by administrative units, and maps and dashboards can be adapted independently. The platform includes a role and rights management system that regulates access and ensures the protection of sensitive data.

This approach depends on the coordinated interaction of multiple components. Proven solutions already exist for the essential elements required to establish urban data management. The challenge lies in integrating these building blocks into a functioning overall system while simultaneously developing the necessary structures, processes and competencies within public administration. Through Data Hub, administrative staff learn to recognise and leverage the potential inherent in data, build technical expertise and establish appropriate governance models.

Initial use cases

Early applications demonstrate how the infrastructure can be used:

Making local social actors visible

Social service providers and initiatives in Berlin Neukölln independently record their services and make this information available for urban planning.

Data-based monitoring in libraries

A dashboard in the Pankow district library supports the analysis of usage, collections and acquisitions. It serves as a central tool for simplifying future demand assessment and inventory management based on data.

Digital district region profiles

Databases and dashboard templates facilitate the creation and ongoing updating of district region profiles.

What’s next for the Data Hub Berlin?

Since funding began in February 2025, initial work packages have been launched. The initial focus is on establishing and operating the data platform in cooperation with an external service provider. Within the framework of the one-year funding period, a further priority is to define and implement initial use cases together with pilot users from the administration. This will allow the platform to be tested in practice and its capabilities, as well as areas requiring further development, to be explored and evaluated using existing data and in dialogue with relevant target groups.

At the same time, a dedicated landing page and a digital knowledge library are being developed to support long-term knowledge transfer and capacity building. In parallel, considerations are underway regarding an appropriate Data Hub governance structure to ensure that public administration can operate the platform efficiently and strategically as a central data infrastructure.

Data Hub Berlin is operated by Technologiestiftung Berlin and forms part of the initiative funded by the Berlin Senate Chancellery entitled “Development of an Urban Data Platform and Implementation of Use Cases in the State of Berlin”.