Together with a large group of engaged citizens, Matthew was one of the founding members of Initiative StadtNeudenken (Initiative for Re-thinking the City) and the Runder Tisch Liegenschaftspolitik (Round Table for Urban Land Sales Policy).
The initiative was founded in 2011 with the goal of changing Berlin’s urban land sales policy. Up to that point, Berlin sold its land to developers based on the highest bid. The initiative made the case for tender processes based on the best concept: Instead of selling land, ownership should remain with the city and development be based on long term lease hold arrangements.
The initiative has succeeded in both of these goals. The Round Table convenes in the seat of the Berlin state government regularly, and is now financed by the state government.
