Scholz Pushes for Housing Development on Tempelhofer Feld, Reviving Controversy

The Chancellor’s proposal to build on Berlin’s iconic green space faces backlash from environmentalists and political opponents, citing past public opposition and long timelines for construction.

Chancellor Olaf Scholz has called for the redevelopment of Berlin’s Tempelhofer Feld, a major urban green space, to address Germany's housing shortage.
Environmental groups, including BUND, oppose the plan, arguing the field is vital for urban ecology, recreation, and climate regulation in the city.
Critics highlight that a 2014 referendum rejected similar plans, with Berliners voting to preserve the area as a public space.
Scholz’s housing policy has faced criticism for failing to meet his earlier pledge of 400,000 new homes annually, with only 300,000 built in recent years.
Opposition parties, including the Greens, argue that the government should focus on tenant protections and affordable housing reforms rather than controversial construction projects.