RETHINKING PUBLIC SQUARES
BERLIN (GER) | 2023
Redesign proposal for John-F.-Kennedy square.
LOCATION
John-F.-Kennedy square, Berlin
STATUS
Finished
OVERVIEW
John F. Kennedy Square is Berlin’s selected site because it is a public square that needs to be designed almost from scratch. The open spaces of the surrounding blocks must be considered for underground parking. By addressing the issue of the open parking lot, which is currently the main function of the “square”, the open space outside Schöneberg City Hall would be cleared of vehicles and available for transformation. Participatory design proposals, such as water features, more plants, greenery, and shelters, were also considered.
As the analysis maps show, John F. Kennedy Square is a rectangular outdoor space located outside the City Hall of Schöneberg, a vibrant district in Berlin. The square is close to important toponyms and transportation hubs, such as: a 7-9 minute walk from U-Bahn Bayerischer Platz, a 3-minute walk from U-Bahn Rathaus Schöneberg (entrance next to Rudolph-Wilde Park), a 5-minute walk from Wartburg Square, a 4-minute walk from Heinrich-Lassen Park, a 13-minute walk from Gerhard-Schröder Park, and a 12-minute walk from Innsbrucker Platz (S-Bahn, U-Bahn, and bus stops).
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The most important toponym located directly next to Kennedy Square is Rudolph-Wilde Park. Additionally, one of the key axes of southwestern Berlin, Martin-Luther-Straße, frames the eastern side of the square. Another major axis of the area, Dominicusstraße, intersects with Martin-Luther-Straße very close to Kennedy Square.
Some additional details about the surrounding functions are as follows: The northern and especially the eastern parts facing Kennedy Square are characterized by numerous food service establishments, cafes, and places for drinks. In contrast, the western surroundings are predominantly residential, except for Schöneberg City Hall.
Aside from the City Hall, which dominates the area with its large size and prominent façade, there is another significant public building nearby: the Senate Department for Justice, Consumer Protection, and Anti-Discrimination of Schöneberg (GJPA), known for its striking circular façade.
A proposal is being explored for the pedestrianization of four blocks, including the City Hall and Kennedy Square, the residential block behind City Hall, the GJPA building, and the residential block opposite the GJPA. Connections between surrounding public functions and private courtyards to Kennedy Square are also proposed. Improved passageways, safer crossings, and enhanced connections between the square and the eastern surroundings are also part of the plan.
The diagrams illustrate the new proposal: the pedestrianization of the depicted block. The district offers many circular connections for vehicles, making it unnecessary to keep all the surrounding streets open to traffic.
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Due to the large number of cars currently occupying the square, the diagram shows potential entrances for underground parking, indicated by dotted lines. Some viewpoints are also connected with dotted lines. Dashed lines represent visual and pedestrian connections, as well as existing trees and greenery.
Possibilities for denser greenery and new connections are shown in grey. The intention is to foster an interesting coexistence between the private courtyards and the public square. Walls for climbing plants and/or running water are proposed. These elements can create a rhythmic and playful composition that defines paths and points of interest.
The walls also serve as a reference to the historic Berlin Wall. The new John F. Kennedy Square now covers an area of 18,097.15 sqm, with the pedestrianized area measuring approximately 6,653.62 sqm.
