Uni-conflict: container village or research construction?

Uni-conflict: container village or research construction?

One of the plots on Thielallee 63 in Berlin-Dahlem is currently still available as a parking space with some shrubs. However, the intended use of this area for the construction of a container village to accommodate 260 refugees has caused protests. Especially at the Free University (FU) there is resistance to these plans, since the university actually provides for a new building for teaching and research purposes. The FU feels over, since the university management was not included in the decision of the Senate.

The FU has already provided immediate and unbureaucratic support in the accommodation of refugee people in the past. Nevertheless, the university emphasizes that the area is urgently needed for its own construction measures after 2023. The university points out that there are 92 buildings of the Federal Institute for Real Estate at the Thielallee location that have been empty for some time and therefore could be used as possible alternatives for the accommodation of refugees.

The special representative for refugee questions at the Senate, Broemme, is currently examining all urban open spaces for their suitability for refugee accommodation. He emphasizes that the establishment of a container village on the fallow unibles would be possible as long as the property remains unused. In the end of March, the Senate decided to create 16 other container villages, since the need for living space for refugees is still high and the existing accommodations such as the former airports Tegel and Tempelhof are not suitable in the long term.

The resistance to the planned use of the Uniigeländ in Steglitz-Zehlendorf for refugee accommodation has led to criticism on the Internet. Some users question why the FU Berlin, which presents itself as cosmopolitan and tolerant, is not willing to make the parking lot temporarily available for the accommodation of refugees. This discussion raises questions about racism and intolerance and shows that acceptance for refugee accommodation is not everywhere, even at institutions that present themselves as progressive and liberal.