The two large housing settlements Am Stern and Drewitz are located in the south-easterly section of Potsdam, surrounded by forests, and the Parforceheide heath and Nuthe river meadows.
The Am Stern residential quarter was built between 1970 and 1980 as part of the East German government's program of construction of housing complexes consisting of five-story apartment buildings and small groups of high-rise housing blocks. The Kepler Platz square occupies the center of the estate, which was re-developed with the help of special support funds for intensive measures to redevelop the areas surrounding the buildings. This is to be further enhanced by such improvements as an indoor pool, nurseries, schools, youth clubs, children's meeting place, etc.
The Drewitz residential quarter is a relatively new one for the city of Potsdam. This housing scheme was built 13 years ago. The Stern-Center mall was built in 1994 between the two estates and is already well-known as a venue for interesting exhibits and events. The entire area is easily accessible for traffic - there is a highway exit nearby, plus the Nutheschnellstraße expressway, as well as a tram line, which connects both the housing estates and provides rapid access to the city center.
The list of nearby destinations for outings for residents of both the residential quarters includes the Stern Jagdschloß (hunters' lodge) at the edge of the Parforceheide heath, the Nuthe river meadows, with their nature reserve and the adjacent charming old village of Drewitz, the Schäferfichten settlement, with the close-by artificial lake formed in a gravel pit, and the Musikersiedlung (musicians' housing settlement) of small houses. These areas are inviting for a stroll no matter which season. Planning is currently under way for the Drewitz leisure park, which is to become a popular meeting place for the residents of both estates, the adjacent area of detached homes, and of course, all Potsdamers.
The youngest of Potsdam's residential quarters - the Kirchsteigfeld - was built between 1993 and 1998. Today, it has some 7,500 inhabitants. This new suburb is one of the largest housing projects undertaken in the New Laender - the former states of East Germany - and represents a high standard of living.
