Reimagining Tempelhofer Feld: Berlin Senate's Future Plans Discussed
The upcoming Berlin Senate meeting on Tuesday at 10 a.m. will delve into the potential revamping of Tempelhofer Feld. Urban development and construction senator Christian Gaebler (SPD) will present his concept, following the black-red Senate's agreement to launch an international ideas competition on the redesign of the former Berlin-Tempelhof airport site in their coalition agreement.
Interestingly, while the black-red coalition supports peripheral development with most of the area remaining undeveloped, the 2014 referendum result and subsequent law stipulated a prohibition on construction or development within the park. The Senator's bill aims to address this conundrum by potentially permitting more refugee accommodation, particularly on the northern area of Columbiadamm, if necessary.
The existing container settlement for refugees will also be legally secured, although this alone may not allow the construction of residential apartments, even on the periphery. For such advancements, an amendment to the Tempelhofer Feld Act would be required.
Brief Insights
The 2014 referendum was a significant decision made by Berlin's citizens to preserve Tempelhofer Feld as an extensive public park, with free access for recreational activities like biking, skating, baseball, and kite flying. Its maintenance is led by Grün Berlin, with seasonal restrictions in place to protect Eurasian skylark breeding grounds.
In the past, the former airport complex was repurposed to accommodate refugees during the 2015 migrant crisis, housing at least 1,200 people in temporary shelters. However, there are currently no plans for significant development within the park itself. Electrifying events like the ABB Formula E Berlin ePrix utilize the former airport's infrastructure for racing events, nevertheless.
Exploring Possibilities
- Urban development senator Christian Gaebler is set to present his bill regarding Tempelhofer Feld's future design during Tuesday's Berlin Senate meeting.
- The 2014 referendum and the subsequent law indicate that extensive development on the park is not permissible, leaving limited options for urban development such as refugee accommodations.
- The black-red Senate emphasizes the importance of peripheral development for Tempelhofer Feld, inviting the international community for suggestions on how to redesign the former airport site while respecting existing limitations.
As the discussion unfolds, it will be insightful to observe how the Berlin Senate tackles the challenge of balancing urban development needs with public sentiment and overlapping legalities.
