Berlin Senate Allegedly Utilizes Tempelhof Housing Discussion as a Redirect in Debate with Greens
Berlin's Tempelhofer Feld Housing Debate: A Politically Charged Issue
The debate surrounding the development of housing on Tempelhofer Feld in Berlin is currently a heated topic in the city's political landscape. The Berlin Green Party has accused the Senate government of using the discussion as a distraction from the failure to deliver sufficient housing projects elsewhere in the city[1].
Despite the ongoing debate, the city's focus on housing development remains primarily in other areas. For instance, there are active projects in central districts like Mitte, with large-scale residential complexes and affordable apartments under construction[3]. Other new housing districts, such as the one on Buckow Fields, are also underway to address Berlin’s housing shortage[4].
In relation to Tempelhofer Feld, no major construction appears imminent or realized yet. An architectural competition related to Tempelhofer Feld housing, emphasizing sustainable building on the least valuable parts of the land, indicates initial design interest but not yet finalized construction[5].
Werner Graf, head of the Greens in Berlin's parliament, views the renewed discussion as a distraction. He prefers to see more focus on addressing Berlin's venue problem, citing the potential for hosting acts like Taylor Swift and Adele at Tempelhofer Feld, which he found "fantastic and climate neutral" when he attended an Ärzte gig[6].
Graf also emphasizes the importance of Tempelhofer Feld for sports, kite-surfing, theatre classes, biodiversity, and its ability to cool the city after hot days[7]. He accuses the CDU-SPD coalition of using the Tempelhofer Feld debate as a distraction, citing delays at the Schumacherquartier in Tegel, Molkenmarkt in Mitte, and Güterbahnhof Köpenick as examples of implementation issues[2].
In conclusion, while Tempelhofer Feld remains symbolically and politically significant in Berlin’s housing discussion, its direct impact on actual rising housing stock in 2025 remains limited, with projects progressing mostly elsewhere in the city. The debate continues to be a contentious issue, with the Greens pushing for the Senate to respect the will of the people regarding Tempelhofer Feld, as expressed in the 2014 referendum[8]. The CDU-SPD coalition, on the other hand, appears to be using the discussion as a means to deflect attention from their housing project failures.
[1] Berlin Greens accuse CDU-SPD of using Tempelhofer Feld to divert attention from housing project failures
[2] Tempelhofer Feld: Graf accuses CDU-SPD of using debate as distraction
[3] Berlin's Mitte district: Construction of affordable apartments and large-scale residential complexes
[4] New housing district on Buckow Fields: Addressing Berlin's housing shortage
[5] Tempelhofer Feld: Sustainable housing competition highlights initial design interest
[6] Graf: Tempelhofer Feld should be used for concerts, not housing
[7] Tempelhofer Feld: Graf discusses the importance of the open space
[8] 2014 Referendum: Berlin residents vote against construction on Tempelhofer Feld
- The Berlin Greens' criticism towards the CDU-SPD government suggests that the ongoing discussion about housing on Tempelhofer Feld is a diversion tactic meant to deflect attention from other housing project failures within the city.
- Despite the heated debate surrounding Tempelhofer Feld's housing development, the major focus of Berlin's housing policies and legislation appears to be on other areas, with active projects underway in districts like Mitte and Buckow Fields.
