Aviation Heritage in the Urban Landscape—Concept and Examples from Berlin

Abstract

Aviation heritage, though relatively recent in historical terms, constitutes an important and increasingly recognized component of urban cultural landscapes. This article explores how former airports and aviation-related infrastructure have been preserved, adapted, or commemorated in Berlin—a city with a uniquely complex aviation history shaped by political division, technological progress, and evolving urban needs. Based on a typology proposed by the author, the study analyzes five former airport sites in Berlin (Johannisthal, Staaken, Tempelhof, Gatow, and Tegel), employing historical research, field observations, and spatial analysis. The results reveal a wide spectrum of approaches to aviation heritage, ranging from complete erasure to creative reuse integrating ecological, recreational, educational, and symbolic functions. The study also highlights the role of aviation heritage in fostering local identity and contributing to sustainable tourism. The proposed typology may serve as a useful tool for assessing and managing aviation heritage in other urban contexts.

1. Introduction

Aviation is a relatively recent mode of transportation, but many of its aspects have already attained heritage status or deserve to be considered as such. Born at the beginning of the 20th century, aviation quickly gained popularity and profoundly transformed the functioning of states and societies worldwide. For centuries, humans have aspired to fly, making numerous attempts to construct flying machines throughout history. However, the symbolic beginning of aviation is most commonly associated with 17 December 1903, when the Wright brothers, Orville and Wilbur, successfully launched their engine-powered aircraft. The plane flew a distance of 36.5 m in 12 s over the sand dunes near Kitty Hawk Beach in North Carolina [1]. Inspired by the Wright brothers’ success, engineers and designers around the world focused on refining and advancing aviation technology.

Aviation developed rapidly. Only a few years after the first experimental flights, the first airports were established, often accompanied by aircraft manufacturing facilities. The expansion of air transport was significantly influenced by its military applications. Technological progress—particularly in aeronautics and aviation engineering—led to increased aircraft speed, range, and safety. During the interwar period, a key aspect of passenger aviation development was the construction of necessary infrastructure, including airports, passenger terminals, and navigation systems. It was also during this time that the first commercial airlines were established, providing regular passenger, mail, and cargo transport.

By the 1930s, airports and their accompanying infrastructure, particularly passenger terminals, had become symbols of major cities, often reflecting their prestige and status [2,3]. Over time, however, the demand for larger aircraft requiring longer runways increased, while ongoing urban expansion constrained the capacity of existing airports to expand further. As a result, many airports became too small to accommodate rising air traffic or too disruptive for the nearby residents. In such cases, authorities frequently decided to relocate airports, establish new ones, and close existing facilities [4].

The fate of decommissioned airports and former aviation infrastructure has varied. In some instances, their historical value was recognized, leading to efforts to preserve at least the most significant elements as part of cultural heritage. In other cases, little evidence of former airports remains, with only aviation and history enthusiasts aware of their past existence and significance.

This article presents an inventory of elements of aviation heritage preserved in the urban space and then examines various approaches to protect and commemorate aviation heritage, using Berlin as a case study. This city, having five disused airports within its boundaries, is particularly suitable to develop this topic. Furthermore, the paper explores how both tangible and intangible aviation heritage can be utilized and what value it may hold for residents and tourists. The article is based on an original typology of aviation heritage proposed here by the author and although it is presented in the specific context of one city, it is designed to be universal and applicable in characterizing the material aviation heritage of any region or city.

2. Aviation Heritage—State-of-the-Art

The term aviation heritage encompasses a broad spectrum of both tangible and intangible elements associated with the history of aviation that are deemed to possess cultural, historical, or technical value [5]. As a category of industrial, technical, and cultural heritage, aviation heritage not only documents technological and engineering progress, but also reflects broader social, cultural, and political transformations in both civilian and military contexts [3].

In its broadest sense, aviation heritage may be defined as a set of physical artefacts, sites, systems of knowledge, and social practices linked to the historical development of aviation, which are recognised as possessing cultural, historical, technical, or symbolic significance, and which warrant preservation for the benefit of future generations [6,7].

The tangible components of aviation heritage include historic aircraft, airport infrastructure (such as runways, hangars, control towers, passenger terminals, and aviation equipment including navigational aids and radar stations), as well as sites historically associated with aviation activity. These encompass locations of early flight experiments, take-off fields, and the remains of former airports, or, in certain instances, disused airfields retaining a substantial proportion of their original infrastructure [8]. In the academic discourse on landscape studies, the term transport landscape is employed to denote a specific subtype of cultural landscape [9,10,11]. A distinct category within this typology is the airport landscape [4,12].

Alfrey and Putnam [13], among others, underscored the significance of preserving such infrastructure as part of the “built record” of industrialization. Nevertheless, the monumental scale and functional obsolescence of these sites present substantial challenges for their conservation and interpretation.

While the issue of adaptive reuse and the revitalization of post-industrial structures—undertaken with due regard for the historical values embedded in these sites—has been extensively addressed in the scholarly literature, research focusing on transport-related structures remains limited, and studies concerning former airfield sites are even more scarce [14,15,16,17,18,19].

Recent scholarship increasingly highlights the relevance of adaptive reuse of former aviation infrastructure, advocating for the transformation of decommissioned airports into public parks, museums, residential neighbourhoods, or commercial developments, while retaining key elements of the site’s historical identity [14,20]. Aviation heritage is also acknowledged as playing a meaningful role in fostering local community identity, cultural awareness, and education [19,21]. Public participation is regarded as a vital component in the interpretation and protection of aviation heritage [7]. Familiarity with the aviation history of one’s place of residence may contribute to the strengthening of local identity, emotional attachment to place, and the community’s commitment to safeguarding remaining aviation infrastructure.

Furthermore, aviation heritage may serve as a resource for tourism development, constituting a valuable component of both heritage tourism and special interest tourism [22]. When accompanied by appropriate interpretative strategies, it holds the potential to engage not only aviation enthusiasts but also a broader spectrum of visitors.

An additional dimension of aviation heritage is manifested in various forms of performative heritage practices, such as public spectacles, historical reenactments, and displays of vintage aircraft (living heritage), which offer emotionally and sensorially immersive experiences, enabling audiences to engage with history in a direct and embodied manner [6,22].

3. Concept, Materials and Research Methods

This study is focused on five former airfields/airports present within the administrative boundaries of Berlin: Johannisthal, Staaken, Tempelhof, Gatow and Tegel, none of them being functional at present. These two characteristics, namely the location within the city limits and no current aviation operations, were essential for the site to be considered. Consequently, the former Schönefeld airport, which served East Berlin during the times of German Democratic Republic, was not included for two reasons. First, it was not located within the urban space but in the suburban area. Second, it has become part of the new Berlin Brandenburg Airport and hence, it is fully operational at present. Moreover, this status and associated security issues at an operational airport precluded field-based research, which was an important component of the study.

This research was designed in the following way (Figure 1). In the first stage, following an extensive review of literature addressing heritage issues and the author’s own experience, a working typology of aviation heritage was established. This typology then served as a framework to facilitate the process of identification and classification of various elements associated with the local aviation history, which can be still identified in or have been added to the contemporary urban environment. It includes the following categories of survival and commemoration of aviation heritage:

• Former airfield left as an open ground—maintaining (entirely or partially) an open space, although the use of this space may be variable;
• Airport buildings—mainly airport terminal buildings, air traffic control towers, and airport hotels that have been preserved and repurposed for new functions;
• Preserved aeronautical infrastructure (on-site)—includes valuable aviation infrastructure, such as innovative structures recognized as technical heritage and legally protected, as well as remnants of runways, taxiways and airport aprons;
• Aircraft and off-site exhibits—relocated from other locations (including other airports or museums) and displayed as either solitary objects or collections in museums;
• Monuments and symbols commemorating aviation history;
• Preservation of place identity (cultural and toponymic preservation of aviation history)—encompassing names of buildings, places, and streets, murals and street art that refer to the aviation traditions of the site, and aviation-themed playgrounds for children;
• Ground plan of a former airport area preserved in the urban fabric (this category has not been identified in Berlin).

The study employed various research methods, including desk research and fieldwork. The former involved querying literature and historical documents available for the history of aviation in Berlin and presented at exhibitions in the German Museum of Technology and information centres at Gatow, Tempelhof and Tegel airports, examination of old city maps dating back to 1920s, aerial photographs dating back to 1930s and included in published sources [23,24,25,26,27] or displayed in information centres, and multi-temporal satellite imagery available on Google Earth web platform that enables to trace back the most recent landscape history, since the year 2000. The fieldwork component had two aims. First, to identify the remnants of aviation infrastructure still present, to collect the relevant photographic documentation, and to determine its current use. Second, to verify how (if) the history of aviation is presented to the public, what interpretation means are used, and whether its heritage dimension is exposed. Ground check was performed by the present author at each former airport of Berlin during the years 2008–2024, with several having been visited repeatedly to monitor the ongoing change (Tempelhof in particular). Nevertheless, each former airport was visited again in 2024 to obtain the most up-to-date information about the preservation of aviation heritage, so the inventories are fully comparable. In addition, the German Museum of Technology in Berlin with its aviation history section and visitor centres at former airports were visited (Tempelhof, Tegel). Further insights were obtained from interviews and participant observations. The interviews were unstructured (free-form) conversations with tourist guides at the former Tempelhof and Tegel airports, staff at the Bundeswehr Museum of Military History in Gatow, and employees of the TXL Project Info Centre and the Tempelhof Info Centre (Check-in Visitor Centre). Their aim was to receive additional, otherwise unavailable information about the process of transformation of former airport sites, functioning of information centres, and further plans to preserve and promote aviation heritage. The interviews were carried out in person, at the workplaces of the respondents who were purposively selected based on their work expertise, professional competence, and direct contact with visitors to these heritage sites. Participant observation took place during a group tour of the closed Tegel airport (January 2023) and Tempelhof airport (June and September 2025). The author participated in the tour as a member of the tour group, observing both the content conveyed by the guides, the way it was presented, and the reactions and involvement of the participants.

4. Results

The “Results” Section of the paper is composed in the following way. First, historical background and context are provided, with particular focus on individual former airports. This part of the paper is then summarized using a parallel timelines diagram for the airports. Second, evidence of preservation of aviation heritage is presented for each airport, using the conceptual framework introduced in Section 3, followed by a few summary statements addressing uneven survival of heritage elements in the urban space of Berlin, in connection with the different timings of airport closures.

4.1. Complicated History of Aviation in Berlin

Berlin is a city with a particularly fascinating history related to the development of air transport. It was here that many aviation pioneers operated, some of the oldest aircraft manufacturing factories were established, and airports that played a crucial role in the city’s history and economic development were built. The city’s complex history, especially after World War II, when Berlin was divided into four occupation zones and later separated by a wall into two areas, led to the existence of multiple airports within the metropolitan area. Each occupation zone had its own airport: in the American sector, Tempelhof Airport was operational; in the British sector, Gatow Airport; in the French sector, Tegel Airport; and in the Soviet-occupied areas, which later became part of the German Democratic Republic (GDR), Johannisthal, Staaken, and Schönefeld Airports were in use. After the closure of Johannisthal and Staaken airports between 1947 and 1990, Schönefeld Airport became the main airport of the GDR.

Following the reunification of Germany, a decision was made to rationalize the organization of air transport by constructing a new airport—Berlin Brandenburg Airport—which would partially incorporate the infrastructure of Schönefeld Airport while gradually decommissioning the remaining operational airports.

Currently, within the administrative boundaries of Berlin, five former airports can be identified: Johannisthal, Staaken, Gatow, Tempelhof, and Tegel (Figure 2). Each of these airports has an interesting history and played a significant role in the city’s development and functioning. They were established in different periods, with varying original functions and specializations, and experienced different histories (

Table 1. Activity and contemporary use of former Berlin airports.

Airport Name	Years of Operation	Location	Function/Specialization of the Airport	Current Use
Johannisthal	1909–1952/1995	Adlershof district, post-WWII in the Soviet zone	Early aviation—training and testing airport; post-WWII used by the Soviet Army and the East German Army	65 ha of green areas, approx. 25 ha of Humboldt University campus and science/technology park
Staaken	1916–1948	Spandau district, post-WWII near the border of East Germany and West Berlin	Airship airport, later training and communication airport	Industrial and warehouse area, part of the area used as a solar panel field
Tempelhof	1923–2008	Tempelhof-Schöneberg district, post-WWII in the American zone	Civilian airport—one of the oldest airports in Europe, temporarily used as a military airport	Recreational areas
Gatow	1935–1995	Spandau district, post-WWII in the British zone	Military airport, used by Luftwaffe until 1945, then by the RAF	Military aviation museum, part of the area converted into a residential estate
Tegel	1948/1974–8 November 2020	Reinickendorf district, post-WWII in the French zone	Initially a military airport, from 1960 a passenger airport, in 1974 became Berlin’s main passenger airport	Adaptation work underway to implement the Tegel Project

Source: own elaboration.

, Figure 3).

4.1.1. Johannisthal—The Birthplace of Aviation

Johannisthal was the oldest airport in Berlin and one of the oldest in Europe [28]. Located in the southeastern part of the city, it was officially opened on 26 September 1909, and served as Berlin’s primary airport until the 1920s, when Tempelhof Airport was developed. Johannisthal functioned as a training ground for aviation pioneers, including Hans Grade, an aircraft engine designer, and Anton Fokker, a Dutch aviation enthusiast who established his first aircraft factory at the site. Aircraft manufacturers such as Rumpler and Albatros also operated near the airport [23].

In 1912, the German Aviation Research Institute (Deutsche Versuchsanstalt für Luftfahrt, DVL) was established at Johannisthal, playing a crucial role in the development of aerodynamics [29]. The institute experienced significant expansion and advancements in the 1930s, when modern laboratories and testing facilities were constructed.

During World War II, the airport was used by the German military, and after the war, it was controlled by the Soviet Army until 1952. In the 1950s, Johannisthal ceased to function as an airport. A portion of its area was repurposed for the East German television studio Deutscher Fernsehfunk and research facilities affiliated with the Academy of Sciences. Following the reunification of Germany, parts of the former airport site were incorporated into the Berlin-Adlershof Science and Technology Park [17].

4.1.2. Staaken—The Airship Airport

Staaken Airport was established in 1916 on the western outskirts of Berlin (Figure 2). Its primary function was to serve airships and conduct training activities [29]. The site was chosen due to its vast open space, which provided optimal conditions for airship operations. Between 1915 and 1918, a renowned airship manufacturing facility operated at the airport. However, after World War I, the Treaty of Versailles imposed restrictions on Germany, prohibiting the production of equipment that could be used for military purposes. As a result, the airship factory was closed, and the largest hangar was repurposed into a film studio known as Staaken Studio.

During the 1930s, the airport handled passenger traffic and served as a training facility for the Deutsche Luft Hansa airline. During World War II, Staaken was primarily used for military training. After the war, the airport was taken over by the Soviet Army and remained in operation until its closure in 1948. Following the establishment of the German Democratic Republic (GDR), the airport site became part of East Germany and remained within its territory until German reunification.

4.1.3. Tempelhof—The “Mother of All Airports”

The area known as Tempelhofer Feld has been associated with aviation since its very beginnings. It was the site of early balloon and airship launches, as well as numerous aviation exhibitions [26]. The official establishment of the airport is considered to have taken place in 1923 [25]. Regular air connections began in 1926, and within just a few years, the airport ranked among the largest in Europe in terms of the number of offered connections and passenger volume. In the 1930s, an extensive redevelopment of the airport commenced, including the construction of a monumental new terminal, which became one of the longest and most voluminous buildings in the world [30].

During World War II, the airport served as a Luftwaffe base and ceased to function as a civilian airport. A military aircraft factory was established on its premises, employing prisoners and forced laborers from German-occupied countries [31].

Following the war, the airport became part of the American occupation zone. Between 1948 and 1949, it played a crucial role during the Soviet blockade of West Berlin [32]. Thanks to the so-called Berlin Airlift (Luftbrücke), organized by the Allied forces, West Berlin was supplied with essential goods and coal via air transport [33].

In 1950, the airport resumed civilian operations [25]. In 1954, Pan American Airways launched regular flights between Berlin Tempelhof and New York. Passenger traffic continued to grow steadily in the following years. However, in 1975, after the opening of Tegel Airport for civilian use, most air traffic operations were transferred there. Tempelhof remained a military airport and a base for the US Air Force. From the mid-1980s until its closure on 31 October 2008, the airport additionally handled business flights, domestic connections, and international operations conducted using small aircraft.

4.1.4. Gatow—A British Legacy

Gatow Airport was established in 1935 as a military airfield and, according to the decision of the government at the time, was intended to become the largest Luftwaffe training airport [34]. A renowned aviation school for fighter and bomber pilots, as well as radio operators, was founded alongside the airport. This school remained operational until nearly the end of World War II. In April 1945, the airport was seized by the Soviet Army. Following the conclusion of the war, the airfield was incorporated into the British occupation zone. From July 1945 to September 1994, it was used by the Royal Air Force (RAF) and operated under the name RAF Gatow.

Starting in 1946, the airport also served civilian flights operated by British European Airways (BEA). Like Tempelhof, Gatow played a significant role in the organization of the Berlin Airlift during the blockade of West Berlin [32]. During this period, RAF Gatow also accommodated so-called flying boats, or seaplanes, which utilized the nearby lake connected to the Havel River.

Gatow remained an RAF base until German reunification. On 7 September 1994, it was officially handed over to the German Air Force (Luftwaffe). In 1995, the airport was permanently closed. The western section of the former airport was designated for low-density residential development, while the eastern part was repurposed for the Bundeswehr Museum of Military History. Most of the museum’s collection was relocated from its previous site in Appen, near Hamburg [34].

4.1.5. Tegel Airport—A Symbol of Modernity

Tegel Airport was constructed in 1948 on land that became part of the French occupation zone. The decision to build a new airport for West Berlin at this location was made in 1948 during the Berlin Blockade and the organization of the Berlin Airlift, when it became evident that the existing infrastructure at Tempelhof Airport was insufficient to handle the high volume of air traffic. Following the conclusion of airlift operations, the airport functioned as a base for French military forces. In 1960, Air France launched regular passenger flights from Tegel.

A significant increase in the number of connections, and consequently in passenger traffic, occurred in the 1970s. In 1974, a new terminal with a distinctive hexagonal design was opened. Built in the modernist architectural style, this structure was regarded as an example of highly innovative airport architecture [24]. Tegel soon became the primary airport of West Berlin and held great political and symbolic significance.

Passenger traffic at Tegel continued to grow, particularly after German reunification. However, despite multiple expansion attempts, the airport eventually became too small to accommodate the increasing air traffic demands of the German capital. In 2019—the year preceding the COVID-19 pandemic—the airport handled over 22 million passengers. As per prior plans, Tegel Airport was closed following the opening of Berlin Brandenburg Airport.

4.2. Tangible and Intagible Aviation Heritage of Berlin and How It Is Protected?

4.2.1. Former Airfield Left as Open Ground

The earliest airports were typically established on vast, flat, grassy areas. Airports in the early 20th century did not have designated runways. The earliest aircraft were lightweight and could take off from grass surfaces in any direction, depending on wind conditions. Johannisthal Airport represents an example of an airport founded on the original concept of universal airfields. Such airports typically featured a take-off area with a circular or near-circular shape. They served both military and civilian purposes. Moreover, aircraft factories were often located in their immediate vicinity, enabling the airports to function simultaneously as sites for testing aircraft and conducting air shows [23]. A significant portion of its original airfield has been preserved and left undeveloped. After the airport’s closure, the open space underwent a process of natural ecological succession, leading to the formation of valuable natural habitats. To protect these ecosystems, Landschaftspark Johannisthal was established in 2002, encompassing both a protected landscape area (39 ha) and a nature reserve (Figure 4a) with a total area of 26 ha (

Table 2. Forms of preservation and remembrance of aviation heritage at different former airports and its immediate vicinity.

Category	Johannisthal	Staaken	Tempelhof	Gatow	Tegel
Former airfield left as open ground	Partly preserved—Nature Reserve (26 ha) and Landscape Protection Area (39 ha)	Not preserved—area built over and partially occupied by a solar farm	Fully preserved—Tempelhofer Feld (386 ha) maintained as a public space	Partially preserved, repurposed as an open-air aviation exhibition	Planned partial preservation—transformation into landscape park (approx. 190 ha)
Terminal building, control tower	No remaining structures	Control tower preserved	Terminal building and control tower preserved	Control tower preserved	Terminal building and control tower preserved
On-site infrastructure and equipment	Hangars, Large wind tunnel, Spin Tower, sound absorbing engine test stand	No remaining infrastructure	Runways and apron	Key infrastructure elements retained—airfield still capable of supporting aviation-related functions	Preservation of historically significant hangars and pyramid-shaped engine test facility as heritage monuments
Aircrafts and off-site exhibits	No aircraft exhibits	No aircraft exhibits	Few aircraft of historical significance	Exhibits relocated from other places (mainly from the Bundeswehr Museum in Appen)	No aircraft display planned
Monuments and symbols commemorating aviation history	Memorial plaque, information panels	No commemorative elements	Informational panels on aviation history, visitor information centre, information panels, visitor centre	Exhibition on the history of the airport in a former hangar, memorial, mural on a local supermarket	Planned historical exhibition focusing on the airport’s legacy
Cultural and toponymic preservation of aviation identity	Air Borne Sound installation at the Aerodynamic Park, Street names and local landmarks referencing the site’s aviation heritage	Local business names (e.g., bar, business park) named after the Zeppelin Airship Factory	Names of local bars, restaurants and shops	Local street and place names	Following terminal redevelopment both interior and exterior elements will incorporate aviation-themed design references

). The entire area integrates recreational functions with nature conservation and consists of three zones: a sports and recreation area on the periphery, featuring sports fields, playgrounds, and an exercise park; a landscape zone with open meadows and clusters of trees; and the nature reserve in the central part of the park. The reserve is particularly significant for the protection of dry sandy grassland flora and bird habitats. The establishment of this reserve plays a crucial role in biodiversity conservation within Berlin’s urban environment and serves as an important site for ecological education.

Tempelhofer Feld, part of the former Tempelhof Airport, is another open ground preserved within an urban space (Figure 4b). This area has been transformed into a public recreational space covering 386 hectares, making it one of the largest urban recreational areas in the world. However, it was a long process and other proposals were also at stake. After the closure of Tempelhof Airport in 2008, various perspectives emerged regarding the potential redevelopment of this valuable site, given its proximity to the city center [17,35]. Following nearly one and a half years of public consultations, a decision was made to open the airport grounds to the public as an urban park [27,31]. Due to the site’s historical significance and the preservation of the heritage-listed airport terminal, the entire area was simultaneously designated as a cultural park, officially named Tempelhofer Freiheit (Park of Freedom). The existing airport infrastructure was largely preserved. Among other features, two asphalt runways have been preserved in their entirety—one measuring 1840 m in length, the other 2094 m—both with a width of 42.5 m. In addition, the site includes an apron area of 486,000 square meters, capable of accommodating up to 60 aircraft. Through this transformation, Berlin gained an expansive recreational space, surpassing the size of its previously largest park, Tiergarten. The park is open from sunrise to sunset and can be accessed through ten designated entrances.

The open space has become a popular recreational and social gathering spot. The grass-covered area is used for activities such as paragliding, kite flying, model aircraft launching, as well as individual and group exercises. Designated picnic and urban gardening areas have been established, where residents of nearby districts can cultivate their own vegetables, flowers, and herbs in specially prepared planting boxes. Cafés and bars have also been opened along the park’s periphery. The former runways and taxiways have been repurposed as running, cycling, and roller-skating tracks. The most central part of the grassy fields remains inaccessible to visitors due to ongoing ecological restoration efforts and the presence of protected bird habitats.

Open spaces have also been partly preserved at Gatow Airport. After its closure, the runway was significantly shortened to a length of approximately 900 m and the western part of the former airport grounds was designated for low-density residential development, primarily single-family houses. Meanwhile, the eastern section was repurposed to accommodate the Military History Museum.

According to the development plans, approximately 190 hectares of open space will also be retained within the area of the former Tegel Airport. Similar to the post-airport landscape at Johannisthal, this space will be transformed into a landscape park, partially accessible to Berlin residents, particularly the future inhabitants of the planned Schumacher Quartier, a new district set to be developed in the northeastern part of the former airport site.

4.2.2. Airport Buildings—Terminals and Control Towers

With the exception of the Berlin’s oldest airport, Johannisthal, the most valuable examples of airport architecture have been preserved at each site. At the former Staaken Airport, the modernist air traffic control tower (Figure 5a) has remained almost unchanged. It has been listed as a historic monument, although it has not yet undergone renovation and is currently not in use. Control towers have also been preserved at the former airports of Gatow (Figure 5b), Tempelhof, and Tegel (Figure 5d). The control tower at Tempelhof is open to visitors and houses an exhibition on the history of the airport. Additionally, a viewing terrace has been made accessible, offering a panoramic view of Tempelhofer Feld and the airport terminal building from the inner side of the airport.

The terminal buildings of Tempelhof (Figure 5c) and Tegel (Figure 5d) have been granted heritage protection status. The monumental terminal at Tempelhof was designed by Ernst Sagebiel in the neoclassical style, incorporating architectural elements characteristic of Nazi-era architecture [2]. The structure was intended to symbolize the power of the German state [36,37]. The building’s rooftop featured a viewing terrace capable of accommodating up to 85,000 spectators, who could observe military parades and air shows. Constructed between 1936 and 1940, the terminal was never fully completed. However, despite this, it became one of the longest, with a façade approximately 1.2 km in length, and one of the largest buildings in the world in terms of volume [30].

Currently, the terminal serves multiple functions. It is used as office space for various companies, institutions, and a university. It also hosts trade fairs, exhibitions, and cultural events. The former departure hall, shelters, and facilities once used by the U.S. Army are accessible to visitors through guided tours. An information center for tourists has also been established in the terminal building, where visitors can learn about the history of the airport. This is also the starting point for guided tours.

Another architecturally significant structure is the terminal building of Tegel Airport, designed in the 1960s by a team of architects including Meinhard von Gerkan, Volker G. Schmidt, and Kurt Ackermann. The terminal was constructed in the late modernist style, often referred to as brutalism, due to its raw aesthetic, which emphasizes functionality and structural form without unnecessary decoration. The airport opened in 1974 and was highly regarded for its clear spatial layout and innovative passenger flow organization. The terminal was designed in a hexagonal layout, intended to minimize the distance between check-in points and aircraft boarding gates. It remained operational until the closure of the airport in November 2020.

Since March 2022, parts of the former terminal have been repurposed as temporary shelter facilities for refugees, primarily from Ukraine. According to the approved redevelopment plans, the terminal is set to become part of a science and technology park known as Urban Tech Republic. As part of this project, a university campus is planned, with the revitalized terminal building housing educational spaces for students.

4.2.3. Preserved Aeronautical Infrastructure (On-Site)

Particularly valuable technical structures have been preserved on the eastern outskirts of Johannisthal Airport, in the Adlershof district. These structures are associated with the activities of the German Aviation Research Institute (DVL—Deutsche Versuchsanstalt für Luftfahrt), established in 1912 in Adlershof [29]. In the 1930s, as part of the Aerodynamic Park, several facilities were constructed for aerodynamic experiments, including the large wind tunnel (Figure 6a), which was one of the largest wind tunnels in Europe at the time. Other preserved structures include the sound-absorbing engine test stand (Figure 6b), designed for aircraft engine testing and resistance analysis, and the Spin Tower (Figure 6c), a concrete structure used for testing aircraft models in spin flight conditions and developing methods to recover aircraft from dangerous aerodynamic situations.

These structures have been listed as historic monuments and are occasionally open to visitors during guided tours. The Aerodynamic Park in Adlershof is recognized as a significant site of scientific and technological heritage, particularly in the context of aerodynamics research and aviation technology development. It is part of the European Route of Industrial Heritage (ERIH) [38].

Other historic buildings, such as hangars (Figure 6d), the high-voltage test hall, and office buildings, have been revitalized and are now used by research companies within the expanding Berlin-Adlershof Science and Technology Park.

The most valuable hangars and other technical structures, including the pyramid-shaped engine test facility, are also planned for preservation at the former Tegel Airport. Following revitalization, they will be integrated into the Urban Tech Republic research and industrial center. According to the redevelopment plans, the hangars will serve as event and conference venues, while the pyramid-shaped engine test hall will be used as a concert venue. In the case of the runways, a decision was made to dismantle them.

4.2.4. Aircrafts and Off-Site Exhibits

Aviation heritage of a site can also be emphasized through a display of historical aircraft or aviation-related equipment relocated from other locations. Several historic aircraft can be viewed at Tempelhofer Feld; however, the most extensive collection, primarily consisting of military aircraft and military aviation support equipment, is housed at the Bundeswehr Museum of Military History, located at the former Gatow Airport (Figure 7a,b). The collection comprises over 150 aircraft and helicopters, including replicas of World War I-era planes, various anti-aircraft defense systems, radar technology devices, and more than 5000 uniforms and aviation-related artifacts.

Many exhibits related to Berlin’s aviation history can also be seen at the German Museum of Technology in Berlin (Deutsches Technikmuseum), which has a richly curated aviation section. Suspended above the entrance to the museum’s modern building is a Douglas C-47 Skytrain (Figure 7c), which has become a symbol of the Berlin Airlift of 1948–1949. The museum presents a comprehensive history of aviation, with a particular emphasis on Germany’s and Berlin’s aviation past, including its oldest airports and aircraft manufacturing facilities. Among the exhibits, visitors can see aircraft produced at Johannisthal-based factories, including the pioneering Jeannin Stahltaube produced in 1913 (Figure 7d), a variant of the renowned Etrich Taube aircraft.

The German Museum of Technology also offers insights into the history of the now-defunct German Aviation Collection (Deutsche Luftfahrt Sammlung, DSL), which, before World War II, was one of the world’s most significant and largest aviation collections. This collection included pioneering aircraft, World War I-era planes, as well as aircraft from the interwar period and the early stages of World War II. The layout of the original collection is presented in a special model displayed at the museum (Figure 7e). Unfortunately, the collection suffered severe damage during the Allied bombings of Berlin. Some of the aircraft were evacuated by German authorities in 1943 and relocated to the eastern outskirts of Germany. Due to the complex historical circumstances associated with political border changes in the aftermath of World War II, some of these aircraft eventually found their way, in a severely deteriorated state, to various museum institutions, including the Aviation Museum in Krakow, Poland, and after renovation form part of the collection on display [39].

4.2.5. Monuments and Symbols Commemorating Aviation History

Aviation heritage is commemorated throughout Berlin by memorial plaques, informational signs, and monuments. Informational panels detailing the aviation history of former airports are installed at all former airfields except for Staaken Airport. A particularly interesting artistic form of commemoration is the Air Borne Sounds installation, located in the Aerodynamic Park at the site of the former Johannisthal Airport. The sounds produced by the devices, activated by wind movement, resemble the noise of aircraft engines.

A prominent feature in Berlin’s urban landscape is the Berlin Airlift Memorial (Figure 8a), which stands in the square opposite the main entrance to the Tempelhof terminal building. Tempelhof Airport played a crucial role in supplying food, coal, and other essential goods during the Soviet blockade of West Berlin, which lasted from June 1948 to September 1949. The history of Tempelhof Airport is extensively presented in exhibitions at the Visitor Centre and in the control tower. Additionally, the hall of the Tempelhof metro station features murals that reference the airport’s historical significance.

At the Bundeswehr Museum of Military History, located at the former Gatow Airport, a dedicated part of the exhibition explores the airport’s historical role. Moreover, a mural on a local supermarket within the residential quarter built on the former airport grounds further commemorates the aviation history of the site.

Following the revitalization and functional adaptation of the terminal buildings and control tower at Tegel Airport, a special exhibition on the history of the airport is planned to be displayed in the control tower. Currently, the history of the airport and future development plans for the post-airport area are presented at a specially established information center, the TXL Project, which is located in one of the office buildings near the airport terminal.

4.2.6. Cultural and Toponymic Preservation of Aviation Identity

The commemoration of aviation heritage of districts where former airports once operated is also reflected in the names of newly established streets and squares. Street names honoring prominent aviation pioneers, pilots, or aircraft designers can be found in the new residential development built on the grounds of the former Gatow Airport, as well as in the Berlin-Adlershof Science and Technology Park, which was established on the site of the former Johannisthal Airport. For example, on the grounds of the former Gatow airfield, there are streets such as Am Flugplatz Gatow, Leonardo-da-Vinci-Straße, Gebrüder-Wright-Straße, and Amelia-Earhart-Straße. In the Johannisthal-Adlershof district, several streets are dedicated to aviation pioneers, including Igo-Etrich-Straße, Georg-Schendel-Straße, and Gerhard-Sedlmayr-Straße.

Local heritage is also reflected in the names of bars, cafés, and businesses. An example of this type of initiative is the Zeppelin bar, located on the site of the former Staaken Airport, which alludes to the nearby airship manufacturing facility, as well as the store “Am Flugplatz” (“At the Airfield”) in the Gatow district (Figure 8b). The planned revitalization of the Tegel Airport terminal building is also expected to incorporate decorative elements and symbols referencing aviation.

4.2.7. Aviation Heritage at Former Airports of Berlin—A Summary

The forms of survival and commemoration of aviation heritage vary across the sites of former airports (Figure 9). The fewest heritage elements have been preserved at Staaken, while the greatest number can be observed at Tempelhof and Gatow. At Johannisthal—Berlin’s oldest airfield—numerous recent initiatives have been undertaken to reinforce the site’s aviation identity, manifested, among other ways, in the naming of new streets and locations. Plans for the redevelopment of the grounds and infrastructure of Tegel Airport—the longest-operating of Berlin’s former airports—include various measures to showcase its aviation heritage. However, according to the information obtained from staff at the TXL Info Center and tour guides, there are currently no plans to exhibit aircraft or other equipment relocated from different sites.

5. Discussion

Berlin’s aviation heritage is closely intertwined with the city’s historical and cultural legacy. Its tangible and intangible components hold significant value for the local population, but they are also of interest to visitors and are leveraged in the development of the city’s tourism product. These two dimensions of aviation heritage will be discussed separately below, although some issues are undoubtedly shared.

5.1. Relevance of Aviation Heritage for the Local Population

The results of the field-based inventory indicate that Berlin’s former airports remain present in the contemporary urban landscape in various forms, and the approaches to their commemoration and adaptive reuse vary significantly, from apparent neglect and disappearance to an almost intact preservation of all essential components.

The perception of the value of aviation heritage has undergone significant changes over the past several decades. In the post-war period (1950s and 1960s), the aviation history of specific sites was rarely regarded as a cultural and historical asset or a significant value. As a result, former airfields closed at that time (Johannisthal, Staaken) suffered from neglect, leading to the near total disappearance of airport infrastructure (Figure 3 and Figure 9), particularly at Staaken (Figure 9). From the 1990s onward, however, the approach began to change, as demonstrated by the partial preservation of the Gatow Airfield and the near-complete conservation of Tempelhof Airport, ultimately closed in the 21st century. In the case of Tegel Airport, comprehensive efforts have been undertaken to balance the city’s demand for space for new development—through the construction of residential areas—with the preservation of key elements of the airport’s infrastructure, which are being repurposed to serve new functions. At the same time, elements of aviation heritage have been made visible again at Johannisthal, in line with the growing appreciation of aviation history as part of the most recent history of the city. The establishment of the Aerodynamic Park based on the few surviving objects of the former German Aviation Research Institute is a clear example

Landscape elements associated with the former airports, particularly the characteristic open spaces of former landing grounds, had variable fate. Their preservation may be viewed as symbolic commemoration of timeless dreams of freedom and mobility, embodying the very spirit of aviation and its romanticized perception since the early days of aviation [40,41,42]. Nevertheless, they have been completely lost at Staaken Airport, where the former airfield has been entirely replaced by a large scale photovoltaic farm. In fact, despite the site’s historical significance extending beyond Berlin, Staaken is the least developed among the five analysed locations in terms of heritage preservation. In contrast, the Johannisthal Landscape Park (including a 65-hectare nature reserve) and Tempelhofer Feld (spanning 386 hectares) are currently utilized for recreational and leisure purposes. An open area of approximately 190 hectares is also planned for preservation at the site of the former Tegel Airport.

The preservation of undeveloped space within a metropolitan area may raise economic concerns; nevertheless, such areas are of substantial social importance. This is evidenced, for example, by the outcome of the 2014 referendum, in which 65% of participants voted against any form of development on the Tempelhofer Feld park [43], as well as by public consultations regarding the future of the former Tegel Airport grounds. For residents of neighbouring districts, these open areas used for recreation and leisure directly contribute to their quality of life in the urban environment. Open spaces dedicated to recreation also serve important social and integrative functions, as they frequently provide venues for communal activities. The most notable example is Tempelhofer Feld, which is widely used by residents of the surrounding districts.

Moreover, open areas within large urban agglomerations fulfil a significant ecological function. During the summer months, they experience a considerable cooling effect at night, contributing to the reduction of temperatures in the surrounding neighbourhoods. This function is becoming increasingly relevant in the context of ongoing climate change [44,45]. Additionally, the ongoing process of renaturalization in these areas supports biodiversity, providing habitats for numerous bird and insect species. These sites are also regularly used for environmental education initiatives targeting local schools and interested members of the public [46].

In the case of Berlin and its former Tempelhof and Tegel airports, the decision to preserve such extensive open spaces following their closure is exceptional on a European scale. At many other former airports serving large urban centres, nearly all available space was allocated for residential or commercial development following closure. This was the case, for instance, of Aspern in Vienna (closed in 1954), Wrocław Gądów (1958), Trondheim Lade (1965), Gdańsk Wrzeszcz (1974), Munich Riem (1992), and Oslo Fornebu (1998), with the corresponding loss of most of tangible aviation heritage. According to the current plans, a park is to be created on part of the grounds of the former Ellinikon Airport in Athens, closed in 2001, although the development strategies for this site have been revised multiple times [47,48].

It should be noted, however, that in recent years, amid the ongoing housing crisis and the rising demand for residential space in Berlin, debates regarding the possible partial development of Tempelhofer Feld for housing purposes have re-emerged. Nevertheless, the issue remains highly controversial and has led to protests among residents of the adjacent districts.

Efforts are currently underway to repurpose the architecturally significant terminal buildings of Tempelhof and Tegel Airports, in accordance with the principles of sustainable development and circular economy. However, the immense scale of the Tempelhof terminal complex presents a major challenge, primarily due to the high maintenance and long-term operating costs.

The preserved aviation infrastructure—alongside museums, exhibitions, and commemorative markers dedicated to aviation history—undoubtedly plays a vital role in fostering public engagement with the historical significance of these sites and in preserving the memory of key events. This is especially relevant in Berlin, where post-World War II history was closely linked to aviation, and the memory of the Berlin Airlift during the Soviet blockade of West Berlin (June 1948 to May 1949) remains an important component of local identity [32]. All these elements contribute to shaping the character of these places and fostering a strong sense of local identity among residents. In turn, they have the potential to cultivate pride in the local area and promote the protection of local heritage.

It must also be acknowledged, however, that Berlin’s aviation history is not devoid of difficult and, at times, tragic dimensions. As such, the city’s aviation heritage may be regarded as an example of “dissonant heritage” [49]. This applies in particular to Tempelhof Airport and its Nazi legacy, since the monumental terminal architecture was intended to reflect ideological ambitions of the Third Reich. During the World War II, a forced labour camp operated on the airport premises, where individuals from numerous occupied countries were interned. Furthermore, military aircraft and airships used in both World Wars were produced in factories situated near Berlin’s airports. While these aspects of the city’s aviation past may be viewed as controversial, they should not be excluded from interpretive narratives if the picture is to be complete. Indeed, many sites, especially around Tempelhof, provide information and educational content that also address these dark historical episodes.

5.2. Aviation Heritage as a Tourist Attraction

The rich and multifaceted history of Berlin’s aviation is closely linked with the city’s turbulent recent past. When appropriately curated and narrated with care and expertise, this history can appeal not only to aviation enthusiasts, but also to a broader audience. It holds the potential to foster engagement with the historical and cultural heritage of the German capital. Visitors exploring this heritage—including those visiting the former Tempelhof and Johannisthal airfields—are supported by informational signage and dedicated mobile applications (e.g., [50]). However, these resources currently do not include the Staaken and Gatow airfields, nor the recently closed Tegel Airport.

Additional sources of information on Berlin’s aviation history can be found at Tempelhof Airport, where visitor centres and information panels are located in three distinct areas: within the main terminal building, in the former air traffic control tower (which now houses an exhibition on the airport’s history), and on the grounds of Tempelhofer Feld, where an information point provides updates on current events held in the area. The dispersion of these information points is considered as a positive development, as it reflects the vast spatial extent of the former airport and facilitates easier access from multiple entry points.

The TXL Project Centre also provides insights into both the post-closure redevelopment plans and the historical significance of Tegel Airport. Moreover, special guided group tours of these sites are available upon request [51].

One of the very popular attractions among tourists is the guided tour of the former Tempelhof Airport terminal. Tours begin at scheduled times in either German or English, with prior online registration required. For organized groups, tours can also be arranged in other languages upon request. Visits to the historic Tempelhof airfield have been incorporated into the itineraries of many organized trips to Berlin and are recommended by numerous travel platforms and organizations, including Slow Travel Berlin, Visit Berlin, and TripAdvisor. Group tours of the Aerodynamics Park may also be arranged in advance through the Society for the Preservation of Sites of German Aviation History (Gesellschaft zur Bewahrung von Stätten deutscher Luftfahrtgeschichte, GBSL), which also offers guided visits to the TXL Project information centre.

A broader understanding of Berlin’s—or even Germany’s—aviation past may be gained through a visit to the German Museum of Technology (Deutsches Technikmuseum), which features an extensive aviation section, as well as the Bundeswehr Museum of Military History located on the site of the former Gatow airfield.

All the sites related to Berlin’s aviation history could be brought together into a coherent tourism product in the form of a thematic offer, which is currently lacking. It may be presented either as an illustrated leaflet with a map or as a dedicated mobile application showcasing Berlin’s aviation heritage (or both). Materials of this kind would complement the existing ones, which expose the industrial history of Berlin, to be learned about during walking or biking tours.

6. Conclusions

Berlin serves as a compelling example of how aviation heritage, encompassing both tangible and intangible dimensions, can be integrated into the contemporary urban landscape, thereby contributing not only to the preservation of historical memory but also to the construction of urban identity, functionality, and sustainability. The findings of this study indicate that former airport sites, irrespective of their scale, specialization, or operational timeframe, possess considerable cultural and historical significance. Their adaptive reuse, coupled with deliberate and context-sensitive commemoration strategies, enable to perform a broad spectrum of functions, ranging from recreational and ecological to educational and symbolic.

The examples of Tempelhof, Tegel, and Johannisthal illustrate the potential of aviation heritage to inform the development of multifunctional urban spaces, in which heritage preservation is effectively combined with public accessibility and socio-spatial utility. Conversely, the case of Staaken underscores the risks associated with the neglect or omission of heritage considerations in spatial planning processes, potentially leading to the irreversible loss of historical narratives.

Furthermore, the analysis highlights the critical role of public participation in the reimagining of post-aviation landscapes, suggesting that inclusive and deliberative planning approaches are more likely to yield socially accepted and contextually responsive outcomes. However, more in-depth future research should focus on the perception of the various ways of the functional conversion and adaptation of former airports among both residents and tourists, as they would surely prove valuable for urban planners and municipal authorities.

Further possible avenues for future research might include an analysis of tourist visits to the old airports of Berlin and assessment of their learning experience, retrospective analysis of decision-making processes regarding former airports and how were they influenced by contemporaneous trends in city planning, monitoring-based analysis of ongoing spatial changes in the vicinity of former airport grounds, and comparative studies of cities which also experienced airport closures (such as those mentioned in Section 5.1), to identify more and less popular adaption and conversion patterns, including their impact on heritage preservation. The latter may also lead to the refinement and improvement of the conceptual framework of aviation heritage offered in this paper, which is probably not exhaustive.

In conclusion, first, the Berlin experience may and should inspire other cities and regions facing the challenge of repurposing decommissioned airport infrastructure. Several large cities in Europe (e.g., Lisbon, Warsaw) and probably elsewhere plan to relocate their main airports and close the existing ones in the perspective of a decade or so. Ideally, lessons learnt in Berlin should inform the process of decision-making, ensuring the balance between demand for space and preservation of place identity. Second, the proposed typology of aviation heritage offers a conceptual and practical framework applicable across diverse contexts to support comprehensive site assessment and informed decision-making. Third, recognizing aviation heritage as a meaningful component of urban history and identity not only enhances collective memory, but also fosters resilience, innovation, and adaptive capacity within urban environments.