Berlin, June 2, 2026 – The annual geotechnics excursion, organized by the Geotechnics Department of TH OWL, took 27 students and lecturers to Berlin the week after Pentecost. The trip offered a diverse learning experience, combining visits to significant construction projects with historical reflection and urban development insights.
Diverse Program: From Memorial Sites to Major Construction Projects
The excursion commenced with a guided tour of the Sachsenhausen Concentration Camp Memorial in Oranienburg. This cross-disciplinary program point, particularly relevant in current times, encouraged reflection on the historical context of human actions. Upon arrival in Berlin, participants embarked on a traditional city tour, covering iconic landmarks such as Potsdamer Platz, the Holocaust Memorial, Brandenburg Gate, and the Reichstag, offering insights into the capital’s development and history.
U3 Extension and Urban Construction Challenges
The second day focused on construction projects. At the U3 ‘Krumme Lanke’ station, Ms. Desczyk, project manager for the Berliner Verkehrsbetriebe, presented the U3 extension project, which includes the renewal of the track stabling facility and the extension to Mexikoplatz S-Bahn station. She highlighted the complexities of building within existing structures and underground infrastructure projects in densely populated urban areas. Following the presentation, Ms. Desczyk and Mr. Wagner from Müller + Hereth Ingenieurbüro für Tunnel- und Felsbau GmbH led a tour of the open-cut tunnel construction site.
