Abstract:  The challenge of refugee settlement in urban areas is a pressing issue globally. While Germany hosts the third‐largest refugee population worldwide, around 33,530 refugees live in state‐owned accommodation in Berlin. In this context, various institutional bodies have emerged to address the settlement of refugees and their broader integration into urban neighbourhoods, including initiatives that focus on the development of temporary activities in public spaces. Focusing on one such initiative in Berlin—BENN (Berlin Develops New Neighbourhoods)—this article builds on collaborative knowledge production involving researchers, students, and refugees to critically reflect and examine the potential and limitations of state‐led efforts to co‐produce alternative urban futures. By critically engaging with the literature on tactical urbanism, we argue that these initiatives can be understood as a form of urbanism that has the potential to produce socio‐spatial transformations beyond the scope of the proposed activities. Through engaging with different design vocabularies, methods, and temporalities, the research seeks to demonstrate alternatives for collectively producing knowledge and spaces that contribute to more inclusive urban environments. Ultimately, the article aims to enrich ongoing debates on urban transformation and refugee integration, highlighting the dynamic interplay between institutional actors, communities, and academia.

Keywords:  BENN; Berlin; insurgent urbanism; refugees; tactical urbanism; urban planning

Published:   15 June 2026

Issue:   Vol 11 (2026): Urban Futures in Times of Disruption (In Progress)