Local Opposition Mounts Against Proposed Refugee Accommodation in Tegel

The Berlin Senate's proposal to establish a new refugee accommodation at the former Tegel Airport has ignited significant local opposition. The plan aims to house between 2,000 and 3,000 individuals in a section of the military area located in the northern part of the airport, as part of efforts to alleviate pressure on existing emergency shelters in the southern arrival center.

Local representatives from the CDU party have voiced strong objections to the initiative, which was unveiled by the Integrationssenator Cansel Kiziltepe from the SPD. Marvin Schulz, a CDU candidate for the Bundestag and head of the CDU faction in Reinickendorf, criticized the site as wholly unsuitable for such a large accommodation, citing the absence of adequate infrastructure in the nearby Cité Guynemer to support the incoming population.

Schulz emphasized that reducing the size of the existing emergency shelter at the southern part of Tegel was not a viable solution. He acknowledged the challenging conditions within the current arrival center but asserted that the focus should be on addressing illegal migration rather than merely expanding shelter capacities.

According to Schulz, nearly three-quarters of the individuals currently residing in the arrival center originate from Ukraine and have been granted temporary protection upon entry into the EU. He expressed skepticism regarding the CDU's support for the proposed accommodation, labeling it as an uncoordinated initiative lacking consensus.

Felix Schönebeck, the local CDU leader in Tegel, echoed these concerns, describing the proposal as overwhelming for both the local community and the future residents. He pointed out that the residential area adjacent to the planned site contains approximately 500 households, and accommodating several thousand refugees would severely strain local resources. Schönebeck noted the lack of basic facilities, such as grocery stores, and raised concerns about access to educational institutions for children from the proposed accommodation.

Despite the pushback from local CDU leaders, the district's Mayor, Emine Demirbüken-Wegner, maintained a reserved stance on the plans. A spokesperson indicated that the mayor consistently emphasizes the necessity for infrastructural integration when it comes to refugee housing, highlighting the need for kindergartens, schools, and recreational facilities. However, the responsibility for these matters falls under the jurisdiction of the state government.

The arrival center at the former Tegel Airport currently hosts around 4,000 individuals, making it the largest refugee accommodation facility in Germany. The facility has faced criticism in the past regarding the living conditions within its temporary structures.