Berlin Closes Its Largest Center for Ukrainians: What Will Happen to Tegel Airport.

Closure of 'Tegel' Airport in Berlin

According to inkorr.com: 'Tegel' Airport in Berlin, which has served as the primary reception point for Ukrainian refugees since 2022, is gradually being prepared for closure. According to Deutsche Welle, the relocation of refugees is planned to be completed in the coming months, and the territory of the former airport will be transformed into a new residential and technological district.

Change of Accommodation and Relocation Conditions

The Berlin authorities explained their decision to reduce the number of places in the center by stating that the number of refugees is decreasing, as well as transitioning to decentralized accommodation options. This implies distributing the load across various centers and creating friendly relations among residents. Plans are in place to create an additional 8,600 places for refugees in smaller centers.

In the summer, Ukrainians began being relocated to other shelters. Refugees were given the opportunity to live in smaller rooms with greater privacy. However, issues arose regarding access to bathrooms. Smaller centers provide more personal space and the ability to prepare their own food.

'We live in trailers in a hangar... The food here is better,' said Volodymyr from Poltava about the conditions in 'Tempelhof.'

18-year-old Viktor from Kyiv region notes the positive aspects of smaller centers, but misses the opportunity to maintain contact with the Ukrainian community that was in 'Tegel.'

Future Development of the Area

A new urban district is planned to be created on the territory of the former refugee center, which will include a science and technology park, residential blocks, schools, kindergartens, sports grounds, and a park. The total budget for the project will be approximately 8 billion euros, and construction is set to begin in 2026.

Despite the closure of the existing camp, 'Tegel' will be repurposed as a standard EU refugee arrival center with housing containers, where up to 2,600 people can temporarily live at least until 2031.

The closure of 'Tegel' Airport is an important step in changing the living conditions of Ukrainian refugees in Berlin. The new residential and technological district that will emerge in its place aims to create comfortable and modern living conditions for residents while also providing new opportunities for the development of the capital's infrastructure.