The enormous area which is used to be an operating airport now serves as a relaxing zone for dozens of Berliners almost in the middle of the city. The story of struggle and victory of democratic values lies beyond this, however it may sound pompous.
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| Source: www.berlin-airport.de |
The airport was designated by the Ministry of Transport on 8 October 1923, and the old terminal was originally constructed in 1927. The airport has a long history throughout that time but ceased operations in 2008. The great site area was not used and was about to be given up for building residential houses. But Berliners were standing for their right to use the area of a former airport for their needs, and they won that right during a referendum which was held in order to determine the future of the site. Thus, the struggle of citizens versus business was resolved, and now we can freely come here on the weekends.
Nowadays it is serving as a public free space, opened for anybody who would like to spend a day outdoors at a barbecue or doing some sports. Dozens of children can play football, frisbie, setting up kites in the air, while grown-ups on rollers and skateboards are enjoying “asphalt-wind-surfing”, a new type of activity that is available only here on the vast space of the former airport.
