Berlin TXL, The Urban Tech Republic

The Challenge

Following the closedown of Berlin-Tegel Airport, the 495-hectare site will be transformed into a research and industrial park for urban technologies. In the Urban Tech Republic, urban technologies will be researched, developed, produced, tested and exported in the future. The challenge is to transform part of the former airport into an innovation park where science and research meet industry and commerce, start-ups meet investors, and everyone works together to find solutions for the cities of tomorrow.

The Solution

Tractebel is designing the technical infrastructure of the Urban Tech Republic – innovative, sustainable and future-oriented. The focus is on creating an intelligent, decentralised energy supply based on a smart mix of combined heat and power plants, solar systems, geothermal energy and waste water heat. A 12-kilometre low-temperature network (LowEx) ensures efficient, flexible energy distribution and serves as a blueprint for future urban districts. At the same time, the UTR is being prepared for the challenges of climate change – heavy rainfall, drought and heat – with a comprehensive rainwater management system. All rainwater is purified, stored, infiltrated, evaporated or used in a targeted manner – a closed cycle for maximum resource efficiency. As a pioneer of the smart city, the Urban Tech Republic is setting standards for the city of tomorrow.

The Impact

This site is becoming a flagship project for sustainable urban innovation and addresses global challenges like climate change and urbanisation. At the same time, it enables the structured development of the Kurt Schumacher Quarter to the east, which will offer around 5,000 residential units for over 10,000 residents – thus reuniting living and working in a sustainable urban environment.