Yesterday Berlin TXL became the first commercial district in the world to be awarded platinum precertification for sustainability by the German Sustainable Building Council (DGNB e.V.).
To date, only three pilot projects in the entire Federal Republic of Germany have been precertified in accordance with the DGNB usage profile “New Construction in a Commercial District”. Berlin TXL, the Urban Tech Republic, is the first commercial district in the world ever to be given the “Platinum” award.
In order to promote sustainable building, the certification system of the DGNB recognizes buildings that are particularly environmentally friendly and energy-efficient, which conserve resources while at the same time serving the comfort needs of the users. Urban districts are evaluated according to both infrastructure and the master plan for the location, e.g. when handling energy, water, and waste. At the presentation of the certificate, Dr. Philipp Bouteiller, Managing Director of Tegel Projekt GmbH, said: “We are very pleased about this recognition. It shows that Berlin TXL is becoming a globally unique location for the development and testing of tomorrow’s energy landscape. Here, we aren’t just making the energy revolution, we’re also living it!” “Berlin TXL is where the answers to the pressing future questions for cities are going to be found,” commented Engelbert Lütke Daldrup, Berlin’s State Secretary for Building and Housing, with regard to the certification. “The challenges in our cities are the central theme of the Urban Tech Republic: mobility, climate-friendly and resource-friendly manufacturing, sustainable building, functional synergy, and good urban planning. All of this will be reflected in Berlin TXL. We can be proud of what emerges there in the future.”
Energy and water policy, mobility management, and recycling convinced the DGNB
The sustainability aspects listed below are some of the features of the future Berlin TXL research and industrial site and they were decisive factors in the DGNB’s assessment:
- Energy plan – Low-energy grid with cogeneration, geothermal energy, and use of residential process heating. Optimal values in the areas of primary energy and CO2 are achieved. Intelligent control and monitoring of the utility consumption (Smart Grid) makes it possible to optimize consumption.
- Water – The rainwater plan ensures near-natural water treatment and seepage via biologically active soil layers. Bodies of water and transition areas are used for rainwater purification. Cooling and evaporation effects play a significant role for the area’s microclimate.
- Mobility – Development of an integrated mobility management system. Promotion and networking of e-mobility systems, car and bike sharing, bicycle traffic (bicycle routes, parking facilities, expressway), and distribution and delivery systems.
- Recycling – Preparation and redesign of concrete tracks and airport apron areas and existing buildings. Here, synergy effects ensure cost and energy-efficient reconstruction and intelligent re-utilization of building materials.
You can find further information and downloads in the official press release (German only).
