KATARZYNA FOLJANTY

 

City administrations have yet to recognize the vast potential of abandoned post-railway areas. Very often these sites, located in the very heart of the city, are sold to private investors who, seeking to make maximum profits, develop them into office buildings, housing estates or shopping malls. After the fall of the Berlin Wall, the Senate of Berlin has been very successful in transforming many former railway lands and building complexes into public areas for recreation and culture. The success of these transformations has been largely due to the planning process being open to public participation. A formidable example of this approach is Park am Gleisdreieck, which was opened in 2011. The residents of surrounding neighbourhoods could submit their own suggestions, which were discussed in depth during regular architectural workshops. With this approach, the inhabitants’ awareness and their connection with the area has been strengthened.

This article describes the process of designing Park am Gleisdreieck in Berlin and discusses the lesson to be learned from it.

 

Keywords: railway, train station, Berlin, regeneration, recreation, public participation, parks, landscape design