200 years of James Hobrecht

James Hobrecht shaped the urban development of Berlin like no other figure. With his 1862 development plan, he laid the foundation for the compact, mixed-use city centre that still defines Berlin's character today.

Equally groundbreaking was his contribution to the development of a modern sewerage system, which made the city's rapid growth possible in the first place. Hobrecht also played a decisive role in shaping the city as city planning officer for road and bridge construction. In addition, he was the long-standing chairman of the Architekten-Verein zu Berlin (AIV).

To mark his 200th birthday on 31 December 2025, the AIV is organising a four-part series of lectures, panel discussions and debates. The focus will be on historical appreciation of Hobrecht and his multifaceted work, as well as on the question of what impetus his ideas can provide for urban development in Berlin in the 21st century.

"Hobrecht's work is more relevant than ever: dense, mixed-use urban neighbourhoods and efficient infrastructure are once again core issues in urban development today. We want to take a fresh look at his ideas – critically, but also with a view to their potential for a sustainable future for Berlin,‘ says Dr Christian Müller, Chairman of the AIV Executive Board. While Hobrecht was sharply criticised after the First World War for creating the ’largest tenement city in the world", the districts of the Hobrecht Plan are now enjoying a new appreciation. They are considered exemplary for urban density, diversity of use and a high-quality urban structure with urban streets and squares, which are once again gaining relevance in view of climate change, housing needs and the mobility transition.


The series of events will take place from November to January 2026 in the THF Tower and the THF Visitor Centre at Tempelhofer Feld. The patron is Senate Building Director Prof. Petra Kahlfeldt. The series is curated by AIV board member Prof. Dr. Harald Bodenschatz. The project is funded by the Friede Springer Foundation.

Programme overview

Thursday, 27 November 2025, 7 p.m.
THF Tower Streets and squares for Berlin
Hobrecht's historical plans and current perspectives on the design of public spaces

Thursday, 11 December 2025, 7 p.m.
THF Visitor Centre Urban infrastructure for Berlin
Lectures and discussions on the further development of water, transport and energy infrastructures in a growing city.

Thursday, 15 January 2026, 7 p.m.
THF Tower
James Hobrecht: Role model or bogeyman? Controversial re-evaluation of his planning legacy by historians, urban planners, architects and representatives of urban society.

Thursday, 29 January 2026, 7 p.m.
THF Tower
Berlin's potential for tomorrow
Panel discussion with leading representatives of the Chamber of Architects and design associations on the building blocks of sustainable urban development.


Berlin's potential for tomorrow

Panel discussion with leading representatives of the Chamber of Architects and design associations on the building blocks of sustainable urban development.

Please register for the events by emailing mail@aiv-bb.de


(Language: German)