Urban sandy habitats : designing through nature conservation methods

Sammanfattning: Sandy habitats carry an extreme diversity. They occur in many various types and forms from coast to inland. Also, there are landscape types that occur in sandy environments but are not exclusively sandy habitats. But what we can say about all for sure, is that they need disturbance to survive. They are sensitive and at the same time resilient systems. Therefore, the question raises: could we use them in cities too? How? This thesis is about figuring out how the systems of sandy habitats work and how models and knowledge from nature conservation could be lifted into the urban environment. Through the example of Tempelhofer Feld in Berlin, the research is set into context and some feasible solutions are suggested for this area. These are the “sand-themes”, the result of the thesis. The sand-themes are a way to use sandy habitats at Tempelhofer Feld but could be anywhere else too. They are designed as modular structures that can be repeatable and transformable throughout the landscape. For the pleasure of people, for the promotion of these declining habitats and for a more resilient cityscape.