{"id":163314,"date":"2026-04-21T16:49:58","date_gmt":"2026-04-21T14:49:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.humboldtforum.org\/?post_type=event&p=163314"},"modified":"2026-05-13T12:50:18","modified_gmt":"2026-05-13T10:50:18","slug":"an-island-in-the-making","status":"publish","type":"event","link":"https:\/\/www.humboldtforum.org\/en\/programm\/termin\/talk\/an-island-in-the-making-163314\/","title":{"rendered":"An Island in the Making"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n
\n\t\t
\n
\n
\n

How do we, as an urban society, want to shape the heart of Berlin? What do we expect from the core of our city \u2013 and who should this place be for? Should the Spree Island primarily be a site of remembrance and representation, or should it offer space for a vibrant, diverse urban life? How can past, present, and future come together here?<\/strong><\/p>\n

These questions have been the subject of intense debate for decades. Twenty-five years ago, the International Expert Commission \u201cHistorische Stadtmitte Berlin\u201d presented a widely discussed vision for the future of Berlin\u2019s Spree Island. Although its recommendations were highly controversial, they have significantly shaped the development of this central site: the demolition of the Palace of the Republic and the reconstruction of the Berlin Palace as the Humboldt Forum have redefined Berlin\u2019s city center.<\/p>\n

On the occasion of the anniversary, the Humboldt Forum invites audiences to take a fresh look at the Spree Island. The focus is on the formative visions, conflicts, and hopes, as well as on current challenges. Finally, we ask about the future of the Spree Island and its surroundings, such as the Marx-Engels Forum and the site of the Bauakademie.<\/p>\n

In a multifaceted dialogue, experts from urban development, architecture, politics, and civil society come together. On the panel, <\/span>Franziska Eichst\u00e4dt-Bohlig<\/span><\/strong>, former member of the International Expert Commission, <\/span>Manfred K\u00fchne<\/span><\/strong>, long\u2011standing head of the Department for Urban Development and Projects at Berlin\u2019s Senate Department for Urban Development, Building and Housing, and <\/span>Leslie Quitzow<\/span><\/strong> from the Bundesstiftung Bauakademie take part in the discussion.<\/span> The architectural historian and publicist Matthias Gr\u00fcnzig<\/strong> introduces the topic and moderates the panel.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n

\n\t
\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

Participants<\/h2>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n\n\n\n
\n\t
\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t