Floating University

Berlin, Berlin (FUA), Germany

City population: 4186143

Duration: 2018 – ongoing

Implementation status: Ongoing

Scale: Micro-scale: District/neighbourhood level

Project area: 22500 m²

Type of area: Previous derelict area, Vacant or abandoned land

Last updated: November 2024

The Floating University was initiated in 2018 at the rainwater retention basin of the former Tempelhof airport in Berlin. Though not an official university, it serves as a space for transdisciplinary, communal learning, transforming an abandoned urban site into a vibrant community resource. The project reclaims the basin, hosting workshops and events that range from ecological lectures to cultural and art programs, fostering collaboration between diverse disciplines and communities. The architecture collective raumlaborberlin originally envisioned the project as a six-month initiative. Artists, universities, and seminar groups contributed to designing the space and organizing workshops. However, due to its success, an NGO, Floating e.V., was established to sustain the project. Today, the NGO manages the site and continues its mission of engaging communities with urban and ecological themes. After Tempelhof airport closed in 2008, the basin was infrequently cleaned, leading to contamination and sediment accumulation. Over time, a wetland ecosystem emerged, attracting plants, insects, birds, mammals, and amphibians. This natural development complements the Floating University’s infrastructure, which consists of open timber structures like a kitchen, art installations, communal spaces, vertical gardens, gardening beds, and an auditorium. These structures integrate seamlessly with the basin’s existing technical framework and wetland environment. Floating e.V. aims to make the basin accessible to Berlin’s urban population while sparking discussions about urban climate, resource management, and water cycles through diverse and artistic programs. Smaller initiatives focus on specific ecological themes, such as plant diversity and soil health, through projects like a seed archive and soil lab. The Floating University exemplifies how abandoned urban spaces can be revitalized into hubs for learning, creativity, and ecological awareness. (1-3, 8, 9)

Aerial view on the Floating university site in Berlin

The Floating University from above

Alexander Stumm

Overview

Nature-based solution

Blue infrastructure
In-land wetlands, peatlands, swamps, and moors
Community gardens and allotments
Community gardens
Other
Intentionally unmanaged areas
Abandoned spaces with growth of wilderness or greens

Key challenges

Environmental quality
Soil quality improvement
Green space, habitats and biodiversity (SDG 15)
Green space creation and/or management
Habitat and biodiversity conservation
Regeneration, land-use and urban development
Conversion of former industrial areas
Water management (SDG 6)
Improvements to water quality
Health and well-being (SDG 3)
Creation of opportunities for recreation
Inclusive and effective governance (SDG 16)
Effective management
Social justice, cohesion and equity (SDG 10)
Social interaction
Environmental education
Sustainable consumption and production (SDG 12)
Sustainable production

Principal problems in Functional Urban Area (FUA)

Environmental Degradation
Biodiversity loss
Soil degradation and loss
Poor water quality
Land use and Socio-economic change
Unequal availability and access to public green spaces
Health, Well-being and Social cohesion
Disconnection from nature
Other

Key priorities

Biodiversity (conservation and/or restoration), Social Justice and community

Focus

Maintenance and management of urban nature, Maintenance or upgrade of exisiting green spaces (e.g. parks), Ecological restoration of ecosystems, Soil remediation and revegetation, Transformation of previously derelict areas, Post-industrial site regeneration, Knowledge creation and awareness raising, Educational and awareness raising programs, Improved governance of green or blue areas, Creation of new, innovative governance and management approaches, Monitoring and maintenance of habitats and/or biodiversity, Citizen science and monitoring initiatives (e.g. species observations, habitat assessments, and data collection efforts)

Project objectives

To offer non-disciplinary, informal, and collaborative spaces for learning, gathering, and knowledge exchange on ecology, climate action, and adaptation for the public and various communities To plant seeds to foster the already existing diversity of plants and contribute to a natural regeneration of the soil To test water filtration that eventually will be used to irrigate the vegetable beds on campus To open up urban, former industrial, abandoned, and derelict spaces for public use and engagement, education, interaction, recreation To develop community practices that enhance activity and biodiversity on the Floating University grounds through seed collection and the ex situ conservation of local plant species To research and recreate natural water cycles to support sustainable water management To (1-5, 8, 9, 15)

Implementation activities

The Floating University offers opportunities for community engagement and ecological exploration. Its auditorium and other spaces are made available to community groups and neighborhood networks. Events on interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary topics are regularly hosted and organized, ensuring public accessibility. Importantly, the grounds are free to enter for everyone, inviting open interaction with the site. The Climate Care festival, hosted by the Floating University, addresses climate challenges, the ethics of care, and ecological humanities, blending theory and practice to promote meaningful dialogue . Additionally, greenhouses and vertical gardens have been constructed as part of a human-driven botany initiative. By planting and maintaining overgrown spaces within the rainwater basin’s built structures, the project explores how self-organized eco-infrastructures can create a more symbiotic coexistence in urban environments . Innovative ecological projects include the Floating Seed Archive, which collects, documents, and propagates seeds growing on-site to enhance plant diversity and promote natural soil regeneration. The Open Soil Labs allow participants to study soil composition and fauna using microscopes and simple analysis methods, providing hands-on exploration of soil activity and biodiversity. Ref. 2, Ref. 5, Ref. 8, Ref. 9, Ref. 10, Ref. 11, Ref. 15, Ref. 16.

Biodiversity conservation or restoration-focused activities

Biodiversity conservation:

Protect and enhance urban habitats
Preserve and strengthen existing habitats and ecosystems
Create new habitats
Protect species
Take measures for ex situ conservation
Means for conservation governance
Biodiversity offsets
Public engagement

Main beneficiaries

Researchers/University
Citizens or community groups
Young people and children
Other

Governance

Management set-up

Led by non-government actors

Type of initiating organisation

Non-government organisation/civil society
Citizens or community group
Researchers/university

Participatory approaches/ community involvement

Co-planning (e.g. stakeholder workshops, focus groups, participatory mapping)
Dissemination of information and education
Joint implementation (e.g. tree planting)
Co-management/Joint management
Citizen monitoring and review

Details on the roles of the organisations involved in the project

The architect collective initiated the project and managed it for approx. 6 months, financed by a state culture fund. The project was continued with individuals from the community and the collective forming Floating e.V. (NGO) that has been running the project ever since. (Ref. 1) The space of Floating University was co-designed with university students and architects, who also continue to give lectures and workshops, include the Open Soil Lab. Citizens and community groups are attending events, which are also organised by other groups and NGOs. (Ref. 5) The area is managed by the Tempelhof Projekt GmbH, which is responsible for the planning, maintenance, operation and development on behalf of the owner of the space, the Berlin Senate Department for Urban Development, Building and Housing. (Ref. 5; Ref. 12; Ref. 13) Floating’s activities are facilitated by state and private grants, occasional sponsorship, and hundreds of volunteer hours. (4)

Project implemented in response to ...

... an EU policy or strategy? Unknown

... a national policy or strategy? Unknown

... a local policy or strategy? Unknown

Type of enablers

NGOs/Community groups driving the implementation, Governance innovations (such as public private partnerships), Funds, subsidies or investment for GI/NBS in the city (available for the city or provided by the city)

Financing

Total cost

Unknown

Source(s) of funding

Public national budget
Corporate investment

Type of funding

Earmarked public budget
Direct funding (grants, subsidies, or self-financed projects by private entities)
Other

Non-financial contribution

Type of non-financial contribution

Provision of land
Provision of labour
Provision of expertise

Who provided the non-financial contribution?

Public authorities (e.g. land, utility services)
Citizens (e.g. volunteering)
Other

Impacts and Monitoring

Environmental impacts

Environmental quality
Improved soil quality
Expected improved soil quality
Water management and blue areas
Improved water quality
Achieved improved water quality
Green space and habitat
Reduced biodiversity loss
Expected reduced biodiversity loss
Increased presence and recovery of wild species
Achieved increased presence and recovery of wild species

Economic impacts

Unknown

Socio-cultural impacts

Cultural heritage and sense of place
Improvement in people’s connection to nature
Expected improvement in people’s connection to nature
Education
Increased support for education and scientific research
Achieved increased support for education and scientific research
Increased knowledge of locals about local nature
Expected increased knowledge of locals about local nature

Type of reported impacts

Presence of formal monitoring system

Yes

Presence of indicators used in reporting

Yes

Presence of monitoring/ evaluation reports

No evidence in public records

Availability of a web-based monitoring tool

No evidence in public records

Potential risks of implementation and trade-offs

Unknown

References

Floating University (n.d.). Floating e.V.. Accessed on August 19, 2024, [Source link];

Flughafen Tempelhof (n.d.). Floating University: Naturkultur-Lernort trifft auf technische Infrastruktur. Accessed on August 19, 2024, [Source link];

raumlaborberlin (n.d.). Floating University Berlin. Accessed on August 19, 2024, [Source link];

Kafka, G. (2018). How a DIY Floating University in Berlin Could Be an Unorthodox Prototype for Design Education. Accessed on August 19, 2024, [Source link];

Kafka, G. (2022). Floating University in Berlin, Germany by Raumlabor. Accessed on August 19, 2024, [Source link];

Wahmkow, L. (2018). Floating University: Die Universität der Zukunft. Accessed on August 19, 2024, [Source link];

District Office Friedrichshain-Kreuzberg of Berlin (n.d.). Zahlen und Fakten. Accessed on August 19, 2024, [Source link];

Floating University (n.d.). Floating Gardens. Accessed on August 20, 2024, [Source link];

Kolarek, M. (n.d.). Soil. Accessed on August 20, 2024, [Source link];

10.

Floating University (n.d.). Programme. Accessed on August 20, 2024, [Source link];

11.

Floating University (n.d.). Climate Care: Theorie und Praxis an einem Naturkultur-Lernort. Accessed on August 20, 2024, [Source link];

12.

Floating University (n.d.). Geschichte. Accessed on August 20, 2024, [Source link];

13.

Flughafen Tempelhof (n.d.). Über Uns. Accessed on August 20, 2024, [Source link];

14.

Floating University (n.d.). Staying Afloat: In Support of Floating University! Über Wasser halten: Unterstützt die Floating University!. Accessed on August 20, 2024, [Source link];

15.

Floating Berlin (n.d.). Wasser. Accessed on August 20, 2024, [Source link];

16.

Ball, K. (n.d.). Floating University Berlin: Water Filtration System. Accessed on August 20, 2024, [Source link];

17.

Senate Department for Urban Development, Tempelhof Projekt GmbH & Floating e.V. (2024). Letter of Intent. Accessed on September 1, 2024, [Source link];