Architects4THF responds to the Ideenwettbewerb Tempelhofer Feld 2024-2025 [1], by presenting a call for contributions to interrogate the ethical role of planners in shaping the future of cities and to question their responsibilities within the building industry.
The selected contributions will shape the flipside of AWC's Issue № 38, “Choreography”, a special edition that will be released in 75,000 copies and distributed on streets across multiple cities.
By engaging architects, landscape architects, and urban planners, the idea competition highlights the ethical dilemmas professionals face as they navigate between political interests and democratic decision-making. Planners play a crucial role in shaping urban spaces and balancing the needs of individuals, communities, and authorities. Their work directly impacts how cities evolve, making it essential to uphold societal values and ensure inclusive and responsible urban development.
The call for contributions, “PROMPT”, aims to “incite” a broader street-public debate, and critical international reflection on the intersection of planning practices with societal needs, market dynamics, climate crisis, and participatory processes.
We are interested in projections and critical views suitable for print media. You can submit completed works or abstracts to be developed in case of final selection.
TOPICS
The issue invites critical reflections on the following key themes:
1/ Public Green Spaces – The Case of Tempelhofer Feld
With a maximum capacity of 90,000 visitors, Tempelhofer Feld, one of Berlin’s most frequented green public spaces, faces potential conversion into a new city district to address the housing crisis. Despite its role as a critical green infrastructure, it is often perceived as an underutilised space. The proposed redevelopment threatens to override the democratic will of citizens, raising broader questions about how public green spaces are valued today.
What is the role of public spaces and their perception in today's building economy?
We invite contributions that challenge conventional parameters of urban development and envision alternative futures for this contested site.
2/ Land and Building Market – On Assets and Speculation
Urban growth and economic accessibility are increasingly defined by the commodification of land under global capitalism. Rapid transformations, housing shortages, and growing exclusivity collide with rising vacancy rates in commercial spaces, revealing deep contradictions in today’s cities.
What is the future of our cities? How to sustainably manage the city's expansion and reuse of underutilised spaces?
We seek contributions on market sustainability, focusing on economic accessibility, social integration, and architectural and urban solutions throughout the entire life cycle of buildings, from extraction to demolition.
3/ Climate and Ecology – On Landscape and Living Systems
Tempelhofer Feld’s role as urban fallow land is unique and emblematic of Berlin's urban nature. It offers exceptional ecological diversity and significant climatic benefits. As a distinctive dry habitat, it provides refuge for numerous protected species and serves essential climate functions, including cooling the surrounding urban areas, managing water retention, and improving air quality.
How can the ecological and climatic values of Tempelhofer Feld be effectively protected, strengthened, and advocated in the face of urban development pressures, political and economic interests?
We incite contributions with innovative approaches and practical strategies to maintain and enhance this valuable urban landscape sustainably.
4/ Policy Instruments – On Ethics and Participation
The role of architects and planners is shifting from utopian visionaries to agents of a market-driven industry. This transformation raises urgent questions about agency, accountability, and complicity within professional practice.
Are planners actively shaping the built environment in service of collective futures, or have they become complicit in maintaining existing systems?
We encourage contributions that interrogate the ethical dilemmas of urban development, reflecting on civic duty, decision-making power, and alternative modes of architectural engagement.
SUBMISSION GUIDELINES
Text:
Abstract: Up to 1,500 characters (in pdf format)
Completed Work: Up to 12,000 characters (in doc format)
Video/ Sound:
Trailer: Maximum 30 seconds (submit as a link to external hosting)
Completed Work: Approximately 60 seconds (submit as a link to external hosting)
Include a video still and a short introduction to the work
Images/ Sketches/ Photos/ Drawings:
Minimum 300 dpi / Color profile: ISOnewspaper26v4.icc
Include a short description, max. 1,000 characters (in PDF format)
Image Sizes: 225 × 317.5 mm / 225 × 156.25 mm / 110 × 156.25 mm
We accept contributions in German, English, Spanish, and Italian.
Please include in your proposal your name, affiliation (in case you have one), and a short bio (maximum 500 characters).
TIMELINE
Deadline for Abstracts: 23 May 2025
Notification of Selection: 6 June 2025
Deadline for Final Contributions: 4 July 2025
Publication for Issue № 38: September 2025
Submit your proposal to prompt@architects4thf.com
ABOUT
Architects4THF is a growing network of architects, landscape architects, and urban planners, founded on November 7, 2024, in response to the 2024-2025 Tempelhofer Feld idea competition, which welcomes new construction despite the 2014 citizens’ referendum. Our mission is to create a counter-narrative and resist building development on the field. We recognize Tempelhofer Feld as a focal point to address peripheral topics that shape the social and ecological future of our cities.
FUNDING
We are fundraising to make this collab happen. If you believe in grassroots publishing and the power of civic sovereignty over public spaces, please consider supporting us with a donation. Thank you!
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- Footnotes
[1] “Ideenwettbewerb Tempelhofer Feld”, International Two-phase Urban and Open Space Planning Ideas Competition, Senate Department for Urban Development, Construction and Housing, November 2024 - September 2025
Image credit: Victoria Prymak
