Berlin’s long-standing housing shortage might finally see some relief. Germany’s incoming coalition government—led by the CDU, CSU, and SPD—has announced ambitious plans to accelerate residential construction nationwide. In the capital, where rents have surged by over 85% since 2015, pressure to build is mounting. Officials are now revisiting one of the city’s most sensitive spaces: Tempelhofer Feld. Stretching across more than 300 hectares, the former airport site has become one of Berlin’s most cherished public parks since opening to the public in 2010. Past proposals to develop the site were blocked by a citizens’ referendum in 2014. However, with an estimated 200,000 new residents expected by 2040 and a severe shortage of affordable housing, the new government is pushing for a compromise: constructing thousands of new apartments while preserving large parts of the open space.
The plans have sparked mixed reactions. Housing advocates welcome the move, stressing the urgent need for affordable homes. Conservationists and local activists, however, warn that any loss of the Feld’s unique open character would be irreversible. Meanwhile, building permits across Germany continue to fall. In February 2025, new permits dropped by 2.3% compared to the previous year, reflecting broader economic challenges in the construction sector.