The Urban Tech Republic is a major urban regeneration project on the 202-hectare site of Berlin's former Tegel Airport, managed by Tegel Projekt GmbH on behalf of the State of Berlin. The initiative transforms the decommissioned airport into a curated research and industrial campus dedicated to urban technologies, with six core themes: energy, mobility, water, recycling, new materials, and digital infrastructure.
When fully developed, the campus is expected to host up to 1,000 companies and around 20,000 employees working in research, development, and production. The listed former terminal building will become the new campus of the Berliner Hochschule für Technik (BHT), accommodating around 5,000 students. Dedicated startup labs, industrial research facilities, and co-working spaces are designed to foster collaboration between academia, startups, and established industry.
A key component is the FUTR HUB, a competence centre for urban data that serves as a testing ground for smart district infrastructure, enabling real-world validation of technologies before wider deployment. Building plots ranging from 3,000 to 200,000 square metres are allocated on a leasehold basis, ensuring land ownership remains with the State of Berlin.
Adjacent to the Urban Tech Republic, the Schumacher Quartier will deliver around 5,000 new homes in what is planned to become the world's largest timber construction district, with first residents expected from 2027. Together, the two components of Berlin TXL cover approximately 500 hectares, positioning the project as one of Europe's most ambitious smart city developments.