Farewell to the oldest container accommodation in Berlin: What comes next?

Farewell to the oldest container accommodation in Berlin: What comes next?

The shared accommodation on Alfred-Randt-Straße in Berlin will be closed. The decision to close the oldest container accommodation in the city, which has existed since 2014/2015, has been foreseeable since 2024. Steps have already been taken to prepare the site for the planned expansion of the Müggelschlößchen primary school, including a new sports hall. This is reported by the Berlin administration.

The further course of events envisages the realization of an exhibition project on the visibility of the former shared accommodation and its significance for the district. Maxie Jost and Sebastian Ewert will implement the exhibition, which aims to honor commitment and neighborly relationships. This underlines the importance of an active civil society that has been shaped over the years.

Background and meaning of shared accommodation

The shared accommodation on Alfred-Randt-Straße not only provided a home for many refugees, but also a place where neighborly relationships and civic engagement could flourish. Long-time companions and residents have collected their own memories of the accommodation, which will be discussed in two planned participation workshops. The aim here will be to collect voices from politics, administration, volunteers as well as former residents and neighbors in order to develop a complex picture of the importance of shared accommodation for the district.

Since 2015, the goal of Volkssolidarität in Berlin has been to help refugees and those in need of protection. This is done by providing accommodation and support aimed at active participation and sustainable integration of residents. The shared accommodation strategy not only includes the provision of living space, but also advice on finding accommodation, language support and networking with volunteers to enable a self-determined life.

Integration and challenges

However, the challenges associated with accepting refugees remain. The Lower Saxony Refugee Council draws attention to the fact that shared accommodation often impairs integration and individual living. Living conditions can vary greatly, and these structures often do not provide the privacy needed for successful integration. Well-being, social participation and a dignified living situation are essential points that may be affected by the closure of the shared accommodation on Alfred-Randt-Straße.

A long-term approach that favors decentralized accommodation could represent a sensible alternative here. The closure of the GU should not only serve to create new living space, but also as an impetus for a more critical examination of the current challenges in the accommodation of refugees in Germany. Documenting the history and honoring the former residents and their integration into the neighborhood will be of central importance.