Fallow unibles in Berlin-Dahlem causes a dispute

Fallow unibles in Berlin-Dahlem causes a dispute

The property on Thielallee 63 in Berlin-Dahlem, which is currently still being used as a parking space, is soon to serve as a container village for 260 refugees. However, these plans encounter resistance, in particular on the part of the Free University (FU) Berlin, which has provided the site for its own construction projects. The FU feels over, since it did not give approval to this measure and only learned from the newspaper about the plans.

The President of the FU, Günter Ziegler, emphasizes the willingness of the university to support refugees. In the past, the FU had already provided emergency accommodation in the sports hall of the university at short notice. In addition, the FU pointed out that the controversial property is urgently needed for its own construction projects after 2023 and that alternative areas proposed for refugee accommodation.

Berlin's refugee coordinator Albrecht Broemme is currently examining urban open spaces for potential refugee accommodation and considers the accommodation of refugees on the university site to be a sensible interim solution. Senate resolutions also provide to build 16 other container villages in various Berlin districts in order to counter the lack of living space for refugees.

The resistance to refugee accommodation on the universe area in Berlin-Dahlem has caused discussions online. Some users are disappointed with the attitude of the FU and question their cosmopolitan image in view of the current situation. The debate about refugee accommodation thus illustrates the tensions between different interest groups and the challenges in coping with the refugee crisis in the capital.