Mettmannplatz

Nestled under the imposing railway bridge of the Nord-Süd-Fernbahn, we find ourselves at Mettmannplatz. This seemingly unassuming green space in Wedding holds a story richer than its current appearance suggests. Mettmannplatz wasn’t always a park. The 1862 Hobrecht-Plan designated this triangular area as “Platz A”. Unlike other planned Wedding squares, Platz A remained undeveloped. The area became a hub for small businesses. Coal merchants thrived here due to the proximity of the coal station. This station connected to the new Berliner Verbindungsbahn. The post-war era brought significant changes to the area surrounding Mettmannplatz. The establishment of “Scheringstadt”, now a Bayer facility, on Fennstraße drastically altered the landscape. Increased traffic on Fennstraße became a major issue. The bridge between Sellerstraße and Heidestraße (Bundesstraße 96) in 1970 brought some relief. Mettmannplatz continued to be used commercially. Vegetation was sparse. In the early 1980s, lease agreements were terminated, and the land transferred to the gardening authority. The remaining street area on Nordufer was incorporated into the square. In 1982, a versatile green space was created. This cost 960,000 Marks. The design, by Gebauer, included play areas, a community garden, and meadows. Paths and trees structured the park. Mettmannplatz officially received its name in 1986. It was named after Wedding’s partner city, Mettmann, in North Rhine-Westphalia. The construction of the S21 train line significantly impacted Mettmannplatz. The park became largely inaccessible. Tegeler Straße is now permanently interrupted due to the near ground-level S-Bahn crossing. It has become a dead end on both sides. To compensate, Nordufer street was extended to Fennstraße. Mettmannplatz could no longer function as a green space in its existing form. Compensatory measures were defined as part of the planning approval process. These included improvements in Sprengelkiez at Pekinger Platz, and the newly created Sprengelpark between Kiautschoustraße and Sprengelstraße. Mettmannplatz is more than just a green space. It’s a testament to the ever-evolving urban landscape of Berlin. It reflects the changes brought about by industrial development, increased traffic, and infrastructure projects. As you stand here, at Mettmannplatz, imagine the coal merchants and bustling businesses of the past. Reflect on the transformations that have shaped this unique corner of Wedding.