UNDERSTANDINGTEMPELHOF Analysis and Proposal for Future Development of the Tempelhof Airport Dipl.Ing. Architect Sigismund Sliwinski Marek Mihok Summer 2014
INTRODUCTION On the second of June, 2014, the collaboration between an NYU Abu Dhabi student Marek Mihok and Dipl. Ing. Architect Sigismund Sliwinski started. During the next two months, the former Tempelhof airport became the center of their focus. Through a detailed analysis and in-depth understanding of the history, place and situation, they developed a proposal for a sustainable development project, which could be implemented on site. Tempelhof airport is a place of global significance. Here, pioneers like Orville Wright or Ferdinand von Zeppelin made history. The airport underwent a tumultuous history, from serving as a training ground to soldiers to having one of the few concentration camps placed within its area.During the Berlin blockade, Tempelhof became the symbol of resistance and freedom, as Allied Airlift delivered the cargo to secure the city’s survival. Today, six years after the last airplane took off from its ground and four years after it has been open as a public park, it still faces uncertain future. The senate of Berlin has approved a masterplan for the site, but the people of Berlin refuted it in a referendum in May 2014. This document presents our detailed analysis of the situation and concludes with a proposal for sustainable and adaptable development for the airport building and the area surrounding it.
INFRASTRUCTURE&ACCESSIBLITY U-BAHN + S-BAHN The Tempelhof airport is located in a central location in Berlin. It is easily accessible by car or by public transportation from East and North, and by public transportation or walking from West . The Southern part borders with a highway along with S-bahn rail road, which obstructs the access to the airport.
u
u
There are seven U-bahn or S-bahn stations within walking distance of Tempelhof, which makes the place accessible not only to the small community surrounding the field, but rather the whole city of Berlin.
ROAD TRAFFIC
Tempelhofer Damm on the western side and Columbia Damm on the North run right along the edges of the airport area. This separates the field from the local neighborhoods by the busy roads, as opposed to the eastern border with Neukoelln, which connects to a residential neighborhood directly.
5,000 - 10,000 CPD < 5,000 CPD
u u
The Tempelhofer Damm is also one of the arterial roads of Berlin, connecting the south with the north. It is one of the roads with heavy loads of traffic, which causes problems such as pollution and noise, but also gives easy access to Temeplhof.
u s
CYCLING + WALKING < 5,000 CPD
us E36
TRAFFIC SITUATION IN BERLIN
- public traffic system - individual motor traffic - pedestrians - bicycles
27.1 43.0 22.7 7.2
On the other hand, the Neukeolln neighborhood is further away and connects mostly to the busy Karl-Marx street and Hermanplatz. Overall, the airport is very easily accessible mainly on the North - Western corner.
s
1.28 million cars mv are registered; underground or city-railway lines connect different parts of the city on a total length of 426 km; tramlines have a total length of 173 km; there are 155 bus lines with a total number of 1800 buses; the relation of public traffic to individual motor traffic (modal split) is 40:60; the traffic distribution (in percentage of person*journeys) is approximately:
The center of the garden city as well as the Marheinekeplatz are located much closer together and their intersection on the Platz die Luftbrucke is actually a very busy area - the U-bahn station is located there in addition to many shops and retail spaces.
Noise load levels between 65 and 70 db(A) occur most frequently (760 km), that is 42 %. If one sets a basic level of 65 dB(A), which can be seen, according to current noise research, as a threshold for increased heart attack risk, then 1,270 km of built-up roadsides, or 70 %, could be seen as excessively polluted. From the graph of the Tempelhof airport, the red areas represent noise level above 60 db. We can see that this represents a serious problem and any development needs to mitigate the noise spread on the field. Also, pollution due to noise in recreation areas harms peopleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s well-being. Many of the 120 parks in Berlin, but also large parts of the urban recreational areas, are so noise polluted that their usefulness is greatly limited. That means that only dramatic action plans and guidelines will lead to a chance of reducing (air and noise) pollution caused by traffic to such a degree that the threshold values of the German Ordinance are no longer exceeded.
SUBWAY MAP BERLIN
PLACEPROGRAMNEIGHBORHOODS KREUZBERG Tempelhof airport has a unique location in the middle of Berlin. It is surrounded by three neighborhoods, each with its own set of features and characteristics. Because of its diverse surrounding, a special care and attention has to be paid to the needs and requirements of the people that are affected the most by any developments on the airport. Kreuzberg is today one of the liveliest and busiest neighborhoods of Berlin. After the fall of the wall, it attracted many immigrant families and artists after the fall of the Berlin wall. Today Kreuzberg has one of the youngest populations of all European city boroughs, which together with the alternative culture means that many bars, pubs and nightclubs can be found in the area.
NEUKĂ&#x2013;LLN NeukĂślln is characterized by having one of the highest percentage immigrants in Berlin. The borough is known for its large Turkish, Arab and Kurdish communities, which together make up roughly 18% of the borough's population. Another noticeable trend is the rapid gentrification of certain neighborhoods within the borough, where the influx of students, creatives and other young professionals of mostly Western origin has caused some tension.
TEMPELHOF/GARDEN CITY The Tempelhof district is located in the south-central part of the city.The garden city represents the more quient and reserved part of the neighborhood.It is accessible through two gates, one on the northern and the other on the southern end of the main road.
MANY FACES OF THE TEMPELHOF AREA
PLACEPROGRAMOPENSPACE PARKS + GREEN SPACES CEMETERIES SPORTS FACILITES PUBLIC SPACES
VICTORIA PARK
HASENHEIDE
The area around Tempelhof is mostly used for residential purposes and programs that accompany this primary usage. It is a central area, with plentiful of various activities. The sport facilites as well as green areas are well represented. Especially to the north-east side of Tempelhof, a city park Hasenheide takes up a large area and is used for many recreational purposes. Its rough form is loved by the locals and the petting farm represents one of the main attractions of the neighborhood. Victoria Park on the North-West then offers a unique view of the city, from one of the few hilsl in Berlin.
ALLOTMENT GARDENS
Notable is the diverse character of urban spaces, with unusually high number of cemeteries in the area. Eastern and Northern part have scaled-up sport facilites such as the city swimming pool, or recreational area along the eastern border. On the other hand, the Southern and Western area have a number of small programs (parks, sport facilities), which correlates to the structure of residential units - Garden City representing individual houses for families.
Tempelhof is situated in a very special location in Berlin, right at the intersection of three neighborhoods. The highest residential density is towards the west and north, in the neighborhoods of Kreuzberg and Neukรถlln, which is dominated by old apartment houses - up to 5 stories high. Eastern part is significantly less dense, as the direct neighbor of Tempelhof is an urban village with rows of individual houses. These houses are prevalently single-family homes with gardens, rising up to two floors above ground. However, the Tempelhoferdamm is lined with a row of buildings similar to the Hermanstrasse road, which combine apartments with some public program (stores, offices) on the lower levels.
7.2
KM
.54KM
HIGH-DENSITY RESIDENTIAL LOW-DENSITY RESIDENTIAL PARKS + GREEN SPACES COMMERCIAL, INDUSTRIAL USE SCHOOL
.65KM
% - IMPERVIOUS SURFACE (42-86%) (22-36%) (4-24%) (42-82%)
INHABITANTS/HA 350-550 PPL/HA 30-250 PPL/HA NONE
Southern part is disadvantaged compared to the other neighborhoods as it is cut off from the field by a busy highway and railroad. There are also industrial sites, which further alienate the field from the residential part of Tempelhof. In terms of density, several plots of land are still unused, which presents potential for further development.
MEMORABLE PLACESPERIPHERY
PRESERVING THE CHARACTER The Tempelhof airport is surrounded by a number of places that stand out from the ordinary. From large buildings such as the police station on Columbiadamm to churches and memorials, the surrounding offers a great variety of experiences. One can feel the changing nature of the neighborhoods and experience the rich history of the city. The challenge for the future development at the airport is then to respect and work with the existing elements surrounding the site. The future program should bridge over the vast field and serve to connect the diverse neighborhoods, rather than further propell the gap between them
PLACEPROGRAMNODESMOVEMENT MARHEINEKEPLATZ ACTIVE+OUTWARD The center of a neighborhood in Kreuzberg is the most vibrant and lively in the area, Two structrues attract and dominate the square - Marheineke Markthalle and Passionkirche. Marheineke Markthallle is one of the last Berlin market halls located between the Marheinekeplatz and Bergmannstraße, a popular shopping street with many cafes, restaurants and small shops, particularly flea and antique shops
ADOLF SCHEIDT SQUARE INWARD
In the center of the Garden city in Neu-Tempelhof, the Adolf Scheidt Square is a square of small proportios, without a public program. The neighborhood consists of largely small, up to three stories residential houses, which provides for a quiet and slow phase. The access to the square leads through two gates one on the north and one on the south, in addition to the promenade, which connects to a busy road on the east. This center is much less active and used dominantly by the residents of the surrounding houses. The passage way from South to North is around 2km long, but with scarce public program to attract pedestrians to walk.
HERRFURTHPLATZLOCAL+CONNECTED Right off Hermanstraße, Herrfurthplatz is tucked away from the hustle and noise of the main road. It is a center of a quiet residential area, with a mix of locals and immigrants of mainly Turkish and Arabic origin. Herrfurthplatz is a square that works as a meeting place and socializing spot - some good restaurants and cafes are located very closeby. The center of the square is occupied by an Evangelical church. In all, the character of the square makes it more usable for direct residents rather than large crowds seeking shops and active entertainment.
MOVEMENT
The scribbled lines represent the approximate main movement and usage of the people in and around the centers of the neighborhoods. Marheinekeplatz is a busy square with many programs happening mostly on the Bergmannstraße, which runs parallel to Columbia Damm and connects the area with Südstern. On the other hand, Adolf Scheidt Square is very local - no public usage, serves solely for the purposes of the residents of the Garden City. Some program happens on Paradestraße, which connects it with the Tempelhof field. Herrfurthplatz takes advantage of its nearby location to Hermannstraße, but still remains relativey enclosed and private. A general mix of residential apartments with some shops and cafes determine the character.
AIR 20,000 -30,000 cars per day 22-23
40.000 -50, 000 cars per day
24-25 21-22
17-18
Large surfaces of soil and concrete have different heat - absorption properties, and as a result, we can find areas with as much as 6 degrees Celsius difference. The field area naturally cooles down to a favorable temeprature over night, as opposed to the build structures around it. The large areas of cool and warm air permit natural windflow, which reaches high intensity and exchange rate (1.5-2.5 m/s & >23 Luftaustauches pro h).
19-20
17-18
The sheer size of the Tempelhof field makes for a unique climate with differences in the temperature and quality of the air.
19-20
17-18
Besides the temperature and the air flow, the vast greenery offers one of the cleanest air conditions within the city perimeter. The air pollution is at normal levels on the periphery, but reaches above average as we approach the center of the field. One of the defining factors that influence the quality of the environment on the Tempelhof field is the surrounding traffic.
70,000 -100,000 cars per day
EVENING TEMPERATURE
TRAFFIC NOISE
Running along the southern and eastern border are two very busy roads, with the southern one being a high-way. This greatly effects the noise levels on the edges of the field, and the lower- southern part suffers from a great deal of noise, contributed to by the existing railroad as well.
ENERGYCLIMATE PRECIPITATION (mm)
TEMPERATURE MAX MIN(C)
90
40
72
30
54
20
36
20
18
0
0
-10 JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC
The building of former tempelhof faces north-west direction - taken by the direction of the axis of the semi-circular shape. The shape and orientation of the building mean that the inner side facing the field gets most of the sunlight during the day. The western side gets some afternoon light, whereas the northern part - the one neighboring Kreuzberg gets only very little light in the late evening. Additionally, according to the Senate Department for Urban Development’s study on potential of solar-power surfaces, the roof of the building has low potential, given its categorization as “pre-war community needs & special use” urban structural type.
Berlin's climate is oceanic. The temperate Berlin weather only serves to increase the city's attraction as a hub for tourism. Summers (June to August) are pleasantly warm with average highs of 22°C to 25°C. Wintertime (December to February) can be much colder with temperature highs only reaching 4°C to 5°C. However, the built-up buildings across Berlin trap heat making the city best explored on foot during the coldest weather in Berlin.
SUMMER
Summer comes in early June and lasts till August in Berlin. During this period the average high temperature stands at mid 20s while the low hardly reaches 16 °C. June is considered as the sunniest month of the year with more than 222 hours of sunshine. A moderate level of rainfall is very much common in the city throughout the year.
AUTUMN
Autumn, from September till November, in Berlin features more temperate weather. The average high falls dramatically and stands at 18°C in September, then 14°C in October. November sees colder temperature with not more than 8°C of average high. Moreover, the nighttime with 4°C seems chilly to tourist. The last month of the season witnesses below two hours of sunshine per day.
WINTER
Winter remains chilly in Berlin. Temperature falls around 2°C during this season while the minimums around -3°C cause frequent frosts and icy roads. January is the coldest month of the year when the average high stands at 1.9°C. During this month Berlin receives only 46 hours of sunshine. However, as the season progresses both temperature and sunshine increase gradually.
SPRING
Spring, from March till early June, is the best time to visit the capital city of Germany located the northeast of the country. The period sees a great level of sunshine and more pleasant weather. Although sudden heavy shower may surprise tourists, it makes the city more stunning.
SUMMER SOLSTICE SUN PATH NW
8AM - 2PM
2PM - 6PM
7PM - 9PM
QUESTIONSANALYSISINSIDE
OFFICE BUILDING VS SUSTAINABLE PROGRAM
The current plan of the Senate for the building is to lease the space to companies as offices. Considering that most of the space inside is occupied by empty hangars, â&#x20AC;&#x153;onlyâ&#x20AC;? 67,000m2 can be used for permanent offices. The rest, 70,000m2, is as of now planned to be rented for events and temporary programs. The hangars have a full length of 850m, are 49m deep, 12m high and are equipped with motorized folding doors. This dual character creates an interesting set of possibilites for the future uses. Rather than using the huge vacant hangars temporarily, a permanent program should be established, complementing the office use as well as the function of the field behind it. Urban gardening as a way of using the space could be one of the options - hangars are ideal for the growth of various kinds of vegetables and fruits all year round - given the protection from the outside elements and the orientation of the hangars towards the sunny south.
EARTHBIODIVERSITY Grassland and Forb communities Green and open spaces Dry and unimproved grassland Bushes, lines and groups of trees Rudelar Flora House and small gardens
The Tempelhof Field is not just an empty, large abandoned airport. In fact, it’s size and the unintentional transformation into park has made the field flourish with different kinds of flora. Especially in the middle of a city, diversity of flora is often lacking - parks and traditional urban green spaces offer similar conditions for growth, and congested street conditions don’t allow for the growth of small plants due to the lack of sunlight and higher pollution.
Urban Vacant Area Biotopes In the inner city, the vacant areas (Biotope Types 21, 35) are counted among the most valuable habitats. In contrast to other cities, where vacant areas resulting from war-time damage were rebuilt relatively quickly, extraordinarily species-rich vacant areas were able to develop in Berlin because of the political situation, particularly on the unused or only partially used railway right-of-ways. On these warm urban locations, species such as the ailanthus (Ailanthus altissima) and the Adriatic oak (Quercus cerris), which otherwise occur only in southern Europe, can live. Outstanding locations with high species diversity and numerous endangered plants and animal species include the Südgelände and remainders of the Gleisdreieck. Many vacant areas have been lost in the last years through development and/or are endangered through current construction projects.
The Tempelhof airport has the potential to bring even more variety into the green space by cultivating the areas inside of it. On the diagram, the area of the old Tempelhof represents the most biodiverse part in a large area of the field. As a result, this part should be carefully preserved in the future.
MEMORABLEVIEWSNORTH
AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL RADAR TOWER
FERNSEH TURM KIRCHE AM SÜDSTERN ALEXANDER PLATZ
SAINT JOHANNES BASILIKA
WATER There is no immediate access to water in the vicinity of Tempelhof. The area has just a number of small water surfaces, which are parts of other greeneries. The land itself is composed mostly of Geschiebelehm and in the southern corner of Schmelzwassersand. The levels of underground water are not especially high, compared to the rest of Berlin