Berlin’s Forgotten Spaces Get a Vibrant Makeover by 2026
Three community-led projects will bring new life to underused public spaces in Berlin. The initiatives, chosen from 47 entries, will create gathering spots in Neukölln, Friedrichshain-Kreuzberg, and Steglitz. Each will receive €20,000 to turn their ideas into reality by summer 2026.
The competition, titled In the Heart of Berlin!, sought innovative ways to transform vacant areas into ‘third places’—spaces for socialising, culture, and shared activities beyond home and work.
The winning proposals were selected from six shortlisted entries. One of them, Kreisler e.V., will develop a green space near Rotraut-Richter-Platz in Neukölln. Their plan includes a wildflower meadow, a nano-forest, and a multifunctional gathering area for locals.
In Friedrichshain-Kreuzberg, Kooperative Südliche Friedrichstadt will organise a multi-week event series at Mehringplatz. The programme will involve local businesses and associations, aiming to strengthen community ties through shared activities.
The third project, led by ZIK Kulturräume UG, will turn a vacant ground-floor space at Steglitz’s Kreisel roundabout into a temporary cultural hub. Unlike one-off events, this space will have regular opening hours, offering a consistent venue for creative and social gatherings.
The three locations—Lankwitz, Mitte, and Lichtenberg—were identified as key areas needing revitalisation. The competition focused on Berlin’s city centres and commercial districts, where underused spaces often go overlooked.
The selected projects will receive funding and support to launch by mid-2026. Their success could inspire similar transformations across the city. The goal is to create lasting spaces where residents can connect, collaborate, and enjoy shared activities.
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