Renewal of Certain Areas within Special Economic Zones
By Danilo Gladow: A New Lease on Life for East Berlin's SEZ
The dilapidated SEZ on Landsberger Allee once stood as an icon of Eastern Germany. A full renovation now seems improbable, yet a fresh concept is surfacing. Christian Gräff (46), a CDU member of parliament, proposes the incorporation of certain SEZ buildings into a new public swimming complex.
Decades of neglect and decay have rendered reviving the SEZ an unattainable dream for Gräff: "The SEZ has remained shut for 25 years. The notion of a complete renovation is absurd."
However, the SEZ's historical significance should not be solely relegated to the past. Gräff suggests weaving select elements of the SEZ into the proposed new Marzahn-Hellersdorf communal pool.
"I believe this would work well - the SEZ was an Eastern Germany symbol for many. If we're now building a new pool, it would be intriguing to incorporate these components," states the CDU politician. This could incorporate the distinctive spire of the SEZ building or sculptures from the interior.
The new combined outdoor and indoor swimming facility is planned to rise near the U-Bahn station 'Gärten der Welt'. The building permit process is underway, and approximately 15 million euros have been allocated in the Berlin budget for the construction of two new combined pools - one in Spandau and one in Marzahn-Hellersdorf.
Outdoor Pool and SEZ: A Perfect Match
The necessity is evident: Marzahn-Hellersdorf is the only district without its own outdoor pool. "If we can finally unveil an outdoor pool and also incorporate pieces of the SEZ, which many locals remember, that would send a powerful message," says Gräff.
A full restoration of the old SEZ is unambiguously dismissed by Gräff. The building is structurally obsolete, and projected operational costs are unfeasible: "Even if it could be restored - which I doubt - the operation would be astronomically expensive. No one will pay a 30-euro entry fee. This won't benefit Berliners."
For him, it's clear: the new pool is inevitable - and the SEZ could continue to exist symbolically. Not as a crumbling ruin on Landsberger Allee, but as part of a vibrant new heartbeat in Marzahn.
Marzahn-Hellersdorf, currently lacking an outdoor pool, stands to gain one as part of a new public swimming complex, inspired by elements of the historic SEZ on Landsberger Allee. By incorporating key features such as the distinctive spire of the SEZ building or sculptures from the interior, the new facility could symbolically represent the past and present of Marzahn, providing a fresh lease on life for both outdoor-living enthusiasts and those who value home-and-garden reminiscences of East Berlin's SEZ.
