Projektstart „New Ideas for MediaSpree"
Weimar - Berlin - Amsterdam: Am 13. Oktober 2009 startet das Studienprojekt „New Ideas for MediaSpree – Planning on Berlin’s Waterfront“. Das Projekt findet in Kooperation des Instituts für Europäische Urbanistik mit dem Institut für Geographische Wissenschaften (Freie Universität Berlin) und Inbo Adviseurs Stedenbouwkundigen Architecten (Amsterdam) statt.
In Berlin, recent development projects like the “Museumsinsel” or the new government district, said “Regierungsviertel”, adjoined with Berlin’s new main train station, are showing ways, how the city is connected to its main water axis, the river Spree and how it deals with its urban restructuration of the formerly divided city. Development areas like the Wasserstadt Rummelsburger Bucht or Wasserstadt Berlin-Havel are further examples of waterfront revitalisation in the city’s post-industrial restructuration.
As part of the city’s waterfront redevelopment, the “MediaSpree” plans aim to emphasise Berlin’s role as a media location with projects such as corporate headquarters from Universal Music and MTV Networks or projects like the Fernsehwerft and the multifunctional arena O2 World in the district of Friedrichshain-Kreuzberg.
Next to the reuse of industrial architecture from the end of the 19th century which is under preservation, several new buildings emerged in the area. At the same time, due to a lack of demand in office space, several intermediary uses developed in the cultural and social sector on brownfield sites along the river, that became characteristic for the area.
A public referendum with 30.000 votes followed a massive critique of citizens, and lead to the formulation of new requirements for the area that were not considered before. Those ask for a stronger orientation towards social and cultural belongings of the local population and the consideration of the present intermediary uses as well as spaces for experimental uses.
After the relocation of the Dämmisol company, a project of the “Spreeufer” urban renewal, new uses and ideas need to be developed for the site. Following an analysis of the area, in the Study Project we will develop a sustainable concept for future uses as a masterplan, and urban design schemes for the area based on different principles of project development. Next to important questions of urban design and architecture, related to a mix of uses in smaller and larger plots as well as a public access to the riverfront, the scenarios should be testified for their economic viability as well as for their focus on the local as well as overall needs of the city and changed demands.
The study project will take place in cooperation between the (Bauhaus-Universität Weimar) Institut für Europäische Urbanistik, Professur Baumanagement und Bauwirtschaft for a design approach based on project development, and takes place in cooperation with the Institut für Geographische Wissenschaften, Theoretische Empirische & Angewandte Stadtforschung – TEAS (Freie Universität Berlin), and Inbo Adviseurs Stedenbouwkundigen Architecten (Amsterdam). The excursion to Berlin and Amsterdam will take place from October 26 to 31, 2009 and will include field-trips and studies of Amsterdam’s waterfront projects, meetings with local actors as well as workshops in both cities. Finally, the project will be documented through publication. Night lectures about the "The City for Now" will unify several experts of Amsterdam's waterfront planning to open the discussion about the project on the 29.10.09 at "Studio K" in Amsterdam.
MediaSpree Workshop II (final phase) at the Institute for European Urban Studies