JFK-Platz in Schöneberg: planned redesign for more quality of life!

JFK-Platz in Schöneberg: planned redesign for more quality of life!

John F. Kennedy-Platz, 10823 Berlin, Deutschland - The John F. Kennedy-Platz (JFK-Platz) in Berlin is of central importance for the Tempelhof-Schöneberg district. He became world famous through the speech by John F. Kennedy in 1963 and serves as a town hall forecourt for numerous events and as a marketplace that is operated twice a week. But the current design of the square has deficits and shows a high potential for encounters and exchange. In order to address these challenges, a cooperation project between the district office, the Bauhaus University Weimar and the neighborhood bread e. V. launched. Prof. Dipl.-Ing. Andreas Garkisch from the Institute for European Urban Studies leads the project, with graduates have developed specific ideas for redesigning the square and the adjacent streets. The focus is on increasing the quality of stay and revival of the market.

On June 2, 2025, the plans in the committee for order, green, environment and climate protection were presented by the district assembly (BVV). Saskia Ellenbeck, the Green City Councilor, underlined that space no longer meets the requirements of today. Before its historical meaning as a place where Kennedy spoke, the square was mainly parking and weekly market, but was not particularly attractive today. It is high time to upgrade the space and offer the community a better room.

planned measures for redesign

The next step stipulates that the district office and BVV are examining ideas for short -term measures. The first project will be realized from the end of July 2025: the neighborhood bread e. V. will operate a village oven south of the JFK Square. In addition, further possible measures are provided, including:

• planting trees to restore the historical trees
• Setting up benches in the portal area
• Limitation of parking on the pitch for creating residence areas
• Use of Freiherr-von-Stein-Straße as a city square through temporary measures

The designs for redesign will be exhibited in the Tempelhof-Schöneberg participation from June 17 to July 10, 2025. The vernissage for the opening of the exhibition will take place on June 17, 2025 at 6:00 p.m. at Dominicusstraße 11, 10823 Berlin, and the opening hours of the exhibition are Tuesday from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Thursday from 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.

cities in change

The redesign of the JFK Square is in the context of a general change in the cities. Cities are social organisms that constantly change and build historical layers. Historical elements are often visible without archaeological excavations and shape the cityscape. The place that represents a mixture of historical importance and the need for contemporary urban solutions is an example of the challenges that modern cities are facing. While Berlin is constantly being reinvented as a metropolis, global trends and local needs significantly influence urban planning. The challenge will be to find a balance between the preservation of existing structures and the creation of livable, integrative spaces that do justice to current society.

berlin.de reports href = "https://www.tagesspiegel.de/berlin/bezirke/vor-dem-rathaus-schoneberg-in-berlin-john-f-kennedy-platz-schoner-werden-werden-werden-werden-werden-werden-werden-werden-weren-werden-werden-werden-werden-weren-weren offers detailed information on the historical meaning of the square. For further contextual insights into the challenges and opportunities in urban development, the Federal Center for Political Education