Mitsubishi Electric partners with Berlin for smart-city redevelopment at former airport site

Mitsubishi Electric Corporation, under its European branch Mitsubishi Electric Europe B.V., has entered into a development partnership with the State of Berlin, facilitated through Tegel Projekt GmbH. This alliance is set to advance the ambitious Berlin TXL smart-city project, utilizing the sprawling five-square-kilometer area of the now-closed Berlin Tegel Airport.

A Forward-Thinking Collaboration for Urban Innovation

The partnership marks a significant step in transforming the former airport site into an advanced smart city, which was initiated in 2021. Berlin TXL aims to address multiple urban challenges such as energy efficiency, sustainable mobility, water cleanliness, waste recycling, and the innovative use of new construction materials. The project also focuses on integrating networked systems for a more controlled and efficient urban environment.

As part of this collaboration, Mitsubishi Electric Europe and Tegel Projekt GmbH are set to pilot technologies that enhance the energy efficiency, comfort, and operational effectiveness of buildings within the Berlin TXL precinct. These initiatives will leverage research from Mitsubishi Electric’s SUSTIE zero-energy building test facility in Kamakura, Japan, showcasing a commitment to sustainable urban development.

Mitsubishi Electric and Berlin Partner to Redevelop Former Tegel Airport into Smart City

Visits and Demonstrations Enhance Bilateral Understanding

Highlighting the collaboration’s depth, Tegel Projekt CEO Frank Wolters and Berlin Governing Mayor Kai Wegner recently visited Mitsubishi Electric’s Information Technology R&D Center in Kamakura. During their visit on May 17, they explored the SUSTIE facility to observe firsthand the potential applications of building simulation and smart building technologies that could be implemented at Berlin TXL.

Expansive Plans for the Former Airport Site

The redevelopment of Berlin Tegel is not limited to technological advancements. The project includes the Urban Tech Republic, a research and industrial hub focused on urban technologies, and Schumacher Quartier, a new residential area. Additionally, a 200-hectare landscape zone is being developed by Grün Berlin, enhancing the site’s green footprint and public usability.

Managed by the state-owned Tegel Projekt GmbH, the Berlin TXL project encompasses extensive planning for building construction, technical and transport infrastructure, site management, and public engagement. This holistic approach ensures a structured and efficient transformation of the area into a thriving smart city.

Future Outlook

This partnership between Mitsubishi Electric and Berlin represents a pivotal development in smart city initiatives, potentially setting a global benchmark for sustainable urban redevelopment. The successful integration of advanced technologies could serve as a model for other cities worldwide, promoting a shift towards more sustainable and efficient urban environments.