The Natur-Park Suedgelaende as a Green Tangent: An Important Link to the Greenway Planning and Design Process in Berlin

Annaliese Bischoff

An exciting case study of the development of an urban ecological park in Berlin is important on two levels. First, as an example of a regional planning scheme this park contributes innovatively to the greenbelt plan of the region as a significant green tangent. Secondly, on a site level the design concept of this park offers a unique model where the natural ecological processes have inspired and driven the design forms. In this presentation following a site visit and personal interviews, the unique history of this model case study will be illustrated. The Natur-Park Suedgelaende, located on an old freight depot erected between 1880 and 1890 in the southern section of Berlin, lay abandoned for decades when its infrastructure no longer served a function after the creation of West and East Berlin. With the isolation of Berlin this abandoned railway offered obsolete connections; it was completely cut off. During these decades nature reclaimed the land through natural succession.

With the unification of Berlin new opportunities for planning and design unexpectedly opened. Beginning in 1997 the organization Gruen Berlin found sponsorship for the concept of creating an urban nature park through the Alliance Stiftung zum Schutz der Umwelt. Gruen Berlin had developed a working relationship with a group of environmental artists known as Odious. They helped salvage old relics of the railway infrastructure. The relics that were made visible again narrate a new story. The inclusion of contemporary art suggests an engaging dialogue with the natural succession of the site. The management of the natural succession of vegetation tells another story of the site. Ecological processes drive the design concept as well as the management approach to the site.

The new park officially opened to the public in 2000. Near the airport Tempelhof in the southern region of Berlin in the district called Shoeneberg, adjacent to the S-Bahn public transit line at the Priesterweg stop, lays this 1.8 hectare park. It is roughly 100 m wide by 2 km long. Over 366 different plant species, nearly 100 different species of bees, 12 types of mammals, and at least 26 species of birds live in harmony with the recreational trail design of the park. The artists designed boardwalks to leave the soils undisturbed, but provide cultural and natural focal points along the way for human visitors. EXPO 2000 was awarded to this extraordinary nature park site in recognition of its unique and rich contributions.