An exhibition opening this weekend in Berlin will display all 164 design proposals submitted for the future development of Tempelhof Field, one of the city's most contentious urban planning sites. The comprehensive showcase, running from September 21 through October 5, 2025, marks the first public display of the complete collection of entries from an international design competition concluded in June 2025.

Until now, only the six award-winning proposals had been made public following the competition's conclusion. Among these winning designs, four teams advocated for complete preservation of the open space, while two proposed cautious perimeter development. The competition results were subsequently discussed in July during the final session of three dialogue workshops initiated by the Berlin Senate, where randomly selected citizens once again voted against any construction on the site.

The exhibition comes amid ongoing political tension over Tempelhof Field's future. Berlin residents established legal protection for the entire open space through a 2014 referendum, enshrining its preservation in city law. However, the current Senate continues to advocate for limited perimeter development to address the city's housing shortage. The conflict represents a classic struggle between democratic will and urban planning necessity.

Politically, the Berlin House of Representatives could modify or repeal the Tempelhof Field Law, which currently prohibits construction, with a simple majority vote. However, overturning a citizen referendum through legislative action is considered politically risky. Mayor Kai Wegner of the Christian Democratic Union recently endorsed holding a new public referendum on the issue, though such a vote can only be formally initiated by citizens themselves.

The fate of the competition results remains uncertain, making the broader collection of proposals particularly significant for ongoing public debate. The exhibition will take place on the forecourt of the former airport building, accessible through the Paradestraße subway entrance. As an outdoor display, the exhibition will close during severe weather conditions.

The opening ceremony is scheduled for Saturday, September 20, 2025, from 4:00 to 6:00 PM, with regular viewing hours from 11:00 AM to 6:00 PM daily thereafter. The exhibition's conclusion on October 5 will also mark the end of the official dialogue process initiated by the city government. This comprehensive display represents a unique opportunity for Berlin residents and urban planning enthusiasts to examine the full spectrum of creative solutions proposed for one of Europe's largest inner-city open spaces.