Urban Oasis

Abstract

Problem statement
Friendrichshain consists of variety of contrast, diversity, and multiplicity regarding architecture, functions, gentrification, atmospheres, users, and cultures. This multiplicity gives a unique quality to the area. Berlin has a history of migration and has been experiencing a high refugee inflow in recent years. After 2015’s refugee crisis in Berlin and Germany, according to the Berlin Senate in April 2022 there was another influx of around 60 thousand Ukrainian refugees (Berlin.de, 2022). Consequently, society have faced social and academic integration challenges. Moreover, data from 2018 shows, about 126,650 residents (44%) in Friedrichshain-Kreuzberg have migration backgrounds (Bettina, 2020). Therefore, this study aims to investigate to what extend architecture of a public condenser can contribute to sociocultural integration.

The intent of this project is to generate a central and accessible place to escape from daily rush of live amidst the diverse and busy district. A refuge to bring refugees, migrants, and locals together for integration with a main function of sports/event hall for the whole community. Workshop spaces to explore and improve skills by producing art, crafts, a library to study languages. To integrate with the local culture and people by cultural performances, music/dance/theater performances and classes, by cooking together, dining together, gardening, studying together, having food markets as connection and job opportunity. In addition, practical functions such as legal help, language lessons and labor market integration for migrants and refugees will be provided by locals. Not to forget, places of worship and meditation or yoga.

Importance
Why this is important for the district is related to the theme of the commons. This project intent to bring displaced people together with locals through interaction by intellectual, cultural, religious and food related activities. Another common, is the aspect of a refuge. All people, either flying from unsafe areas, periods or from daily life and the hustle and bustle of the city are in search of a nice place to meet, study, read, attend a cultural/musical performance, or get in touch with new cultures and food. Therefore, an inclusive building will be realized since refugees who are after arriving (temporarily) part of the community and migrants living mainly in Kreuzberg are included. The aspect of flexibility and multifunction spaces needs to be taken into consideration, since the needs will change based on the influx of people and their needs.

Approach and Methods
This research will be conducted by gathering quantitative and theoretical information by means of literature research. To gain insight into the numbers of refugees and migrants in the district and in Berlin, political quantitative data will be examined. By researching through designing the different functions usability should be tested and lead the research by answering the suitability of certain functions for integration. By testing through design strategies and investigating case studies, existing and planned projects can be questioned. Case studies as Absalon Community Centre in Copenhagen and the Integration Hub by Robert Bosch Stiftung will be investigated (Arcgency, 2015, Integration Hub, n.d.). Research will be conducted on displacement and architecture by investigation the book by Andrew Herscher: Displacements, Architecture and Refugee (Herscher & Fast, 2017)

Research Aim
Eventually, by researching opportunities for architecture to create this center for the commons, inclusivity, diversity, and the sense of belonging will be investigated and can be adapted into different projects within the discipline. This research can contribute to the discipline at large since sociocultural challenges of integration and migration is a worldwide issue and therefore findings can be adapted to several multicultural cities elsewhere especially in Europe with similar situations of multiplicity in society.