Greens Oppose Development of Tempelhofer Feld for Housing Purposes
In the heart of Berlin, a contentious debate has arisen over the future of the Tempelhofer Field, a sprawling green oasis that serves as a vital cooling area for the city and offers spaces for sports, relaxation, and cultural activities. The Green Party's faction leader, Werner Graf, has accused the Senate of using the Tempelhofer Field debate as a diversionary tactic to avoid discussing its failure in new construction in areas like the Schumacher Quarter in Tegel, Molkenmarkt in Mitte, and Goods Station in Köpenick.
Graf attended a climate-neutral concert at the Tempelhofer Field and believes such events should be regularly held there. He also advocates for discussing ways to use the existing halls and forecourt of the Tempelhofer Field for large concerts, addressing Berlin's problems hosting large events like those by Taylor Swift and Adele.
Berlin's governing mayor, Kai Wegner (CDU), supports more speed for a possible edge development of the Tempelhofer Field. The CDU, led by Wegner, has endorsed projects like THE FRIEDENAUER, a large-scale mixed-use building in Tempelhof-Schöneberg that includes office, retail, and gastronomy space. The SPD, historically linked with housing development, shares this vision, seeing the conversion of parts of the Tempelhofer Field and surrounding sites into residential and mixed-use buildings as important to meet demand and relieve pressure from Berlin's housing market, which is strained by a shortage of affordable homes.
However, the Green Party opposes new construction directly on the Tempelhofer Field itself. Graf states that Berlin has an implementation problem, not a land problem. He argues that the space should remain open parkland to sustain ecological functions such as active cooling for the city, and because green spaces are essential to climate adaptation. This stance aligns with concerns raised by environmental groups about losing vital green areas if planning restrictions are loosened to expedite construction.
One notable feature of the Tempelhofer Field is the Luftschloss, a stage for children's events, which should be preserved. Graf also believes that the Tempelhofer Field serves an ecological purpose as a cooling area and a place of great biodiversity. The meadows are crucial for cooling Berlin at night, providing a vital respite from the city's urban heat.
The CDU and SPD's push for development and new construction in areas like the former Tempelhof Airport site reflects a broader effort to address Berlin's ongoing housing shortage. However, the Green Party's insistence on preserving the Tempelhofer Field as an essential urban green space adds a layer of complexity to the debate, as Berliners prepare for a potential referendum in 2026 to decide the Tempelhofer Field's development.
Discussions surrounding the Tempelhofer Field's future encompass policy-and-legislation, politics, and general-news, as the Green Party, led by Werner Graf, advocates for maintaining the space as an open parkland, while the CDU and SPD push for development to alleviate Berlin's housing shortage. This contrasting perspective will likely shape Berliners' decisions in the upcoming 2026 referendum on the Tempelhofer Field's development.
