In Berlin we had the painful experience that almost every superlative settlement and urban development project ended in a similarly grandiose disaster: The major BER airport, the water town of Spandau, long before the industrial location Adlershof and, most recently, the castle. Sometimes it failed because of the management (BER), sometimes because Berlin’s growth did not keep up with the scale of the planning – with the castle, because the house was almost finished, but the conclusive idea of use was not.
Do we have to fear something similar in Tegel, where an airport is being converted into a settlement for 10,000 people with a landscaped area and an industrial park for 20,000 employees? No, because a lot is different here.
For example, there would be the grace of late construction – ten years later than planned. Instead of despairing, the planners used the time and rethought: significantly more apartments are being built on the site than planned.
And these should be built with wood from Berlin and Brandenburg – sustainable, regional. Ten years ago climate change was still a marginal issue, the 500 hectare area is now to remain CO2-neutral in keeping with the times.
Research, startups, bike paths – the project is technologically state-of-the-art
In addition, the research at the Beuth University – in the future: “University of Technology” – is intended to “incubate” high-tech companies in the industrial park with experts and knowledge in a practical manner in order to produce startups in series.
Cars? Should remain the exception, cycle paths will connect TXL, which together with Siemensstadt 2.0 and Gartenfeld forms Europe’s largest urban development area – and the city can be reached by bike via a new expressway in 20 minutes.
The ambitious project also comes at exactly the right time: Berlin’s economy is growing faster than the German average. This entices Siemens to invest billions in its historic location next door.
At the same time, the region is a magnet for young creative people and innovators like Elon Musk. After all, TXL project manager Philipp Bouteiller is a gifted networker at work. Its practical test is still pending. He has to put the vision on the airfield, on schedule and without sinking billions as has happened in so many other major projects.
I am a technology author with 8 years of experience in journalism. My writing covers the latest technology advancements and trends, drawing on my expertise in news journalism and social media platforms. I have contributed to major media outlets such as The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, and Reuters.
