Floating University

1. General information

Location and description of the intervention

City or FUA

Berlin (FUA)

Region

Europe

Native title of the NBS intervention

Floating University

Short description of the intervention

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)

Website of the intervention

https://floating-berlin.org/de/

Principal problems

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

Please specify other principal problem

Institutionalized and inaccessible education (1,2)

Implementation area characterization

Climate

Continental (Cold-summer humid continental, Cold-winter dry continental, Cold-summer dry continental)

Ecosystem

Urban or built environment

Other

Please specify other ecosystem

Wetland in a built environment (1,2)

Address

Lilienthalstraße 32
10965 Berlin
Germany

Location

The NBS is situated in an area, with clear delineation of boundaries and a specific shape (polygon). The NBS project can also have more than one area location (more than one polygon, situated close by).

Area boundary (map-based)

NBS area image

Source of NBS area image

Source: https://www.google.com/maps/place/Floating+University+Berlin/@52.4842153,13.4038162,558m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m6!3m5!1s0x47a84fc4ea59e27b:0xdd8355ef0704b0e7!8m2!3d52.484701!4d13.4065838!16s%2Fg%2F11gh2vgq_9?entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI0MTExMi4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D

Total area

22500.00m²

NBS area

22500.00m²

Area description

Urban (main city)

Type of area before implementation of the NBS

Previous derelict area

Vacant or abandoned land

Timeline of intervention

Start date of the intervention (planning process)

2018

Start date of intervention (implementation process)

2018

End date of the intervention

ongoing

Present stage of the intervention

Ongoing

2. Objectives of the intervention

Objectives of the intervention

Goals of the intervention

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)

Key Priorities

Biodiversity (conservation and/or restoration)

Social Justice and community

Sustainability challenge(s) addressed

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

Habitats and biodiversity conservation: What types of conservation goals are / were defined for the NBS intervention?

Species-focused

Habitats and biodiversity conservation: What activities are implemented to realize the conservation goals and targets?

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

Implementation activities and NBS focus

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.

Type of NBS project

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)

3. NBS domains, ES and scale

NBS domain and interventions

Ecological domain(s) where the NBS intervention(s) is/are implemented

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

Please specify "other allotments and community gardens"

Vertical gardens (1)

Amenities offered by the NBS

Benches and drinking water stations

Cultural (museum, concert areas)

Complementing infrastructure (bathrooms, café)

Viewing and outlook points

Design elements for well-being

Tactile elements (e.g., natural materials like wood or stone, exposure to sunlight)

Services

Expected ecosystem services delivered

Provisioning services

Food for human consumption (crops, vegetables)

Water (surface and ground water for drinking and non-drinking purposes)

Habitat and supporting services

Habitats for species

Maintenance of genetic diversity

Cultural services

Inspiration for culture, art and design

Recreation

Intellectual interactions (scientific and / or educational)

Physical and experiential interactions with plants and animals

Social and community interactions

Scale

Spatial scale

Micro-scale: District/neighbourhood level

Beneficiaries

Demographics in implementation area

The project is located in Berlin-Kreuzberg, a district with around 293.500 inhabitants (as of 2023). The average age of Kreuzberg's citizens is 39,1 years old. Around 142.600 citizens of Kreuzberg have a diverse ethnic background. (Ref. 7)

Socio-economic profile of the area

Unknown

Communities vulnerable to environmental hazards or climate change impacts

Unknown

Non-government actors

Non-governmental organisation (NGO) / Civil society / Churches

Primary Beneficiaries

Researchers/University

Citizens or community groups

Young people and children

Other

Please specify "other primary beneficiary"

Architects

Specify primary beneficiaries

"[...] Floating is also home to a multifaceted range of educational programmes [...] aimed at those who live in the direct vicinity of the site, and the Kids Uni, a ‘practical, ambitious and crazy laboratory’ for ‘young explorers’. [...]. Rather than simply cater to a closed group of students or professors, Floating aims to be a place for children, neighbours, architects, researchers and frogs." (Ref. 5)

Marginalized groups

Unknown

Other beneficiaries

Local wildlife (e.g., birds, pollinators)

Native plant vegetation

Natural habitats (e.g. wetland, forests, coastal areas)

City infrastructure (e.g., reduced flooding, improved water quality)

4. Governance and financing

Governance

Governance arrangements

Led by non-government actors

Please specify the roles of the specific government and non-government actor groups involved in the initiative

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)

Key actors - initiating organization

Non-government organisation/civil society

Citizens or community group

Researchers/university

Key actors - Other stakeholders involved (besides initiating actors)

Regional government

Non-government organisation/civil society

Private sector/corporate actor/company

Stages of citizen and community engagement

Planning and design (e.g. site selection, identification of key priorities)

On-the-ground implementation

Monitoring and evaluation of project outcomes

Level of citizen and community engagement

High

Community empowerment or capacity-building initiatives

Implementation of educational programs, workshops or trainings

Formation of community-led groups responsible for the the implementation, maintenace or monitoring of the project

Participatory methods/forms of stakeholder involvement (all stakeholders)

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

Uncommon actors ("Missing actors")

Community & Social Groups

Activist groups (e.g. climate, environment, justice, etc)

Land owners

Public space owned by the city

Policy drivers

NBS intervention implemented in response to a Regional Directive/Strategy

Unknown

NBS intervention implemented in response to a national regulations/strategy/plan

Unknown

NBS intervention implemented in response to a local regulation/strategy/plan

Unknown

Mandatory or voluntary intervention

Unknown

Enablers & Barriers

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)

Please provide details (e.g, name of the plan or strategy) for the selected policies or initiatives.

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)
Funds: Floating’s activities are facilitated by state and private grants, occasional sponsorship, and hundreds of volunteer hours. (4)

Governace and decison-making instruments

Public - community agreement (e.g. citizen science programs; citizen assemblies)

Public - private business agreement (e.g. public private collaborations, public-private-partnerships (PPP))

Educational and knowledge sharing instruments (e.g. science/ living labs, awareness raising campaigns, specific educational programs, green hubs)

Arrangements for governance cooperation

Unknown

Barriers

Limited financial means and dependency on external funding sources (Ref. 5).
Uncertainty over future land use, as the landlord Tempelhof Projekt GmbH plans to rewild the drainage basin, which would mean displacing Floating. (Ref. 5) Floating is allowed to stay on the ground until 2026 with uncertainty about its long-term existence. However, the goal is for the project to be able to stay on the location site, as formulated in a letter of intent by the project, the landlord and state department (Ref. 17).

Financing

Total cost

Unknown

Please specify total cost (EUR)

Unknown

What is/was the Cost/Budget (EUR) of the NBS or green infrastructure elements?

n/a

Source(s) of funding

Public national budget

Corporate investment

Type of fund(s) used

Earmarked public budget

Direct funding (grants, subsidies, or self-financed projects by private entities)

Other

Please specify other type of fund used

Sponsorship (1)

Non-financial contribution

Yes

Who provided the non-financial contribution?

Public authorities (e.g. land, utility services)

Citizens (e.g. volunteering)

Other

Please specify other source of non-financial contribution

Universities/Researchers; Architects (1)

Type of non-financial contribution

Provision of land

Provision of labour

Provision of expertise

Co-finance for NBS

Yes

Co-governance arrangement

An NGO

Entrepreneurship opportunities

Business models

Urban offsetting model (biodiversity or water)

Vacant space model

Which of the involved actors was motivated by this model?

Private non-for-profit actor (e.g. NGO, foundation)

5. Evaluation and learning

Impacts, benefits

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

Description of environmental benefits

--Expected improved soil quality: "The site itself is home to a variety of plants, especially wild herbs, that have largely disappeared from public spaces due to selective management practices, despite their many benefits, such as soil regeneration and as a food source for insects. " (8)
-Improved water quality: "Water tests, conducted by the municipal water utility, demonstrate that Floating University's water system effectively reduces bacteria and turbidity, on par with the water quality filtered by a centralized wastewater sewage treatment plant." (Ref. 16)
Increased presence and recovery of wild species: "'By 2021, our interventions had supported the frog community that was mating on site, leading to that community being three times larger than it used to be,’ explains curator and Floating (as it is known by regulars) association member Gilly Karjevsky." (Ref. 5)
--Expected reduced biodiversity loss: "We continuously collect, archive, plant and propagate the seed. Above us, wild geese cross the sky on their way south, filling the air with their chatter. The Seed Archive supports only old seeds and celebrates their ability to remember, learn and adapt to new circumstances." (8)

Environmental impact indicators

Total number of bird species re-introduced, rediscovered or monitored

frog population increased by 3 times

Economic impacts

Unknown

Description of economic benefits

Unknown

Evidence for use of assessment

Presence of an assessment, evaluation and/or monitoring process

Yes

Actors involved in the assessment, monitoring or evaluation of NBS impacts

Non-government organisation/civil society

Presence of indicators used in reporting

Yes

Type of indicators

Process indicators

Progress indicators

Outcome indicators

Presence of monitoring/evaluation reports

No evidence in public records

Availability of a web-based monitoring tool

No evidence in public records

Name of any specific impact assessment tools

Unknown

Use of GIS in mapping impacts

No evidence in public records

Cost-benefit analysis

Unknown

Transparency

Inclusion of diverse stakeholders in project governance processes (e.g. planning, implementation, monitoring, etc.)

Justice

Community satisfaction

Unknown

Description of locals satisfaction with the project

Unknown

Trade-offs & Negative impacts

Unknown

Measures to prevent gentrification or displacement

Unknown

High-quality & Transformative NBS

Multiple impacts delivery (climate, biodiversity, just community)

Goal setting and impacts delivery

No, project goals were not set, and benefits were not delivered in all 3 key areas.

Reaching original project goals

Most of the project goals were achieved

Please specify the achievements of the project goals

Biodiversity Goals:
--Expected improved soil quality: "The site itself is home to a variety of plants, especially wild herbs, that have largely disappeared from public spaces due to selective management practices, despite their many benefits, such as soil regeneration and as a food source for insects. " (8)
-Improved water quality: "Water tests, conducted by the municipal water utility, demonstrate that Floating University's water system effectively reduces bacteria and turbidity, on par with the water quality filtered by a centralized wastewater sewage treatment plant." (Ref. 16)
Increased presence and recovery of wild species: "'By 2021, our interventions had supported the frog community that was mating on site, leading to that community being three times larger than it used to be,’ explains curator and Floating (as it is known by regulars) association member Gilly Karjevsky." (Ref. 5)
--Expected reduced biodiversity loss: "We continuously collect, archive, plant and propagate the seed. Above us, wild geese cross the sky on their way south, filling the air with their chatter. The Seed Archive supports only old seeds and celebrates their ability to remember, learn and adapt to new circumstances." (8)
Social justice and community:
-Increased support for education and scientific research:
"What’s more, the spaces have hosted dozens of seminars, workshops, field trips and symposia for visiting university groups: TU Berlin, ABK Stuttgart, RISEBA University Riga and Pratt Institute are a handful of institutional visitors this summer." (Ref. 5)
-Improvement in people’s connection to nature:
"It has collaborated with over 80 universities worldwide, developed programs with 25 schools in different districts, cooperated with institutions, curated and hosted more than 120 events annually, all under the broad theme of reimagining life in contemporary urban spaces and people's relationships with the city and nature." (Ref. 14)
--Expected increased knowledge of locals about local nature: "Open Soil Labs are facilities open to everyone that allow participants to experience the soil spatially and gain a holistic picture of how different living creatures live together. DIE BODEN SCHAFFT set up the first Open Soil Lab for the Floating University with the help of the Postcode Lottery. With microscopes, cameras and simple analysis methods, soil activity and diversity can be experienced and measured for yourself." (9)

Long-term perspective

Yes

Cost-effective solutions

Unknown

Equitable impacts

A. All stakeholders benefit fairly from the project

Transformative capacity

Systemic change (the NBS caused changes across the social, ecological and technological dimensions)

Magnitude of change

Reformist: by focusing on addressing underlying drivers of change but failing to address the problem structurally or systemically

Transformative: (deep) by focusing on and substantially changing structures, including institutional ones (norms and rules).

Application of lessons learned

The NBS has been shared or used as a good practice to trigger transformative change

Perception of Environmental Change

Unknown

6. Sources

References

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

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

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

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] [Archive];

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

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

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

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

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

10.

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

11.

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

12.

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

13.

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

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] [Archive];

15.

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

16.

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

17.

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

Comments and notes

Comments

Too little space in the "Implementation activities" and "Specify roles of actors" sections

Additional insights

History of the project/Implementation activities:
The rainwater retention basin was built in 1938 as technical infrastructure for the airport to collect rainwater from the airport grounds and neighbouring roads and drain it into the Landwehr Canal. The airport was closed in 2008, and the grounds were opened to the public in 2014 due to the Tempelhof referendum. The group of architects raumlaborberlin first discovered the basin as part of their research for the 2012 World Expo, which took place on the airfield of the former Tempelhof Airport. Since then, the process of engaging with the site began, and when the site was opened in 2018 as the Floating University by the raumlabor group of architects, it was an explicit decision to reactivate the water infrastructure as a cultural and socio-political space. (Ref. 12)
At the beginning of 2024, a letter of intent was negotiated between the Senate Department for Urban Development, Building and Housing, Tempelhof Projekt GmbH and Floating e. V. to put the cooperation between all parties on a firm footing. In addition, a joint process is to be initiated for the transformation of the rainwater retention basin into an urban development project for sustainable rainwater management with a showcase character and appeal for the district and Berlin. As part of the Technical Infrastructure 2030 project, the basin is to be transformed into a seepage area and, in addition to the planning and implementation of this redevelopment project, a cooperative development of the basin and its potential uses is to be continued. (Ref. 2)

Public Images