Page 241 - Beyond Decommissioning

222 Beyond Decommissioning

discoveries and theories of the universe, linking space, astronomy, and cosmology.
A naturally beautiful setting, perfect for theatrical performances, displays, and con-
certs, the Sun Amphitheater can hold up to 5000 people, with the rest of the site able
to hold many more (Crawick Multiverse, n.d.).

6.4.4 Tempelhof Airport, Berlin, Germany

The largely unsuccessful redevelopment of Tempelhof Airport highlights some typ-
ical difficulties encountered in redevelopment projects. The airport was built by Nazi
Germany on the site of a much smaller airport in 1936–41. It was designed to be a
symbol of Nazi Berlin grandeur and is enormous. The terminal is 30 ha when you
include the hangars. Floor-to-ceiling windows were used to let as much light into
the airport as possible.
Tempelhof has had diverse uses during its history: it has been used to test some of
the world’s first aircraft, house WWII prisoners, and give the people of West Berlin a
vital lifeline to the outside world during the Cold War. It is also been used in movies
such as “The Hunger Games,” “The Bourne Supremacy,” and “Bridge of Spies.”
Relatively few bombs were dropped on the airport during WWII, so most of it
remained intact. Although partly because the Germans protected it with antiaircraft
guns, it was also because the Allies expected to use it for themselves after the war.
When bombs fell on Berlin during the war, the air-raid shelters under Tempelhof
would be packed with people. The shelter rooms still show original paintings from
the war, which were designed to distract children.
In fact, the Nazis never used Tempelhof as an airport. During the war they used it as
a factory for constructing combat aircraft and weapons.
In July 1945, the Red Army handed the airport over to US forces. After extensive
repairs, the airport resumed operation.
The Americans occupied Tempelhof from 1945 to 1993. They turned it into a mil-
itary base, including some training facilities that have since been deserted. The US Air
Force also built there a 72-m radio tower for surveillance purposes, which is used
today to monitor flight traffic in and out of Berlin. In 1951, the German authorities
took over the airport for civil and freight traffic.
The American forces made few changes to Tempelhof while they were in charge.
In 1962, they removed a 5-m sculpture of an eagle perched on a globe from the main
terminal roof and replaced it with radar equipment. The eagle’s head is now on display
outside the terminal building. Various other “imperial eagles” can be seen around the
airport.
Tempelhof’s capacity had reached its functional limits in the 1960s, and its oper-
ations were discontinued after Berlin Tegel airport was built in 1975. In 1990, after the
fall of the Berlin Wall, Tempelhof restarted to operate domestic flights.
In 1995, Tempelhof became a listed building, meaning it cannot be demolished.
Despite demonstrations and a majority voting in a referendum to keep it open, the air-
port closed on October 30, 2008.
In 2011, city planners wanted to build commercial areas and offices, 4700 homes,
and a large public library. The planners said they would use no more than 25% of the