ARCHITECTURE OF CENTERS OF GOVERNANCE

A cautious Redevelopment in Berlin

Berlin, the new capital of Germany, was almost in ruins after the Second World War. It is still in transition today because of its tremendous population loss after 1940. Now, Berlin is characterized by simultaneous urban growth and shrinkage (of population) and residential vacancy on one hand and famous (re)construction sites on the other. Ideologies shape its urban structure, in addition to history.

After the Second World War, there was an urgent need for urban redevelopment in Berlin. Its history makes it a city that experienced a big scale of reconstruction and redevelopment. The Berlin government did not adopt a strategy involving a big scale of new constructions; instead, urban development happened with a very low profile. There were two major programs that were in place for the Urban Promotion namely: Urban Redevelopment Program; and Urban Heritage Conservation Program.

URBAN REDEVELOPMENT PROGRAM

The federal government started a large urban redevelopment program indicating a significant change of policy from external expansion to inner-city rehabilitation and improvement. The aim of this program was modernization and improvement of buildings and urban infrastructure in cities and towns, either in the city center or other parts of the city.

URBAN HERITAGE CONSERVATION PROGRAM

The Urban Heritage Conservation Program majorly focused on preserving historic city centers. It did not focus on the building as an isolated monument but on the preservation of historic city centers as ensembles. The financial support from the government was to ensure and conserve the structure and function of threatened historical city centers with monument value to protect valuable buildings, its modernization/repair, implement regulatory measures, preserve streets/squares/plazas, and for any extra costs of the city center for the buildings and their surroundings.

The Urban Promotion Program by the federal government primarily aimed towards sustainable restoration and maintenance of historic buildings and to take reasonable measures for the restoration. In the process of renovation, the aim was always focused on improving living conditions. Not only were the buildings equipped with modern facilities but also public space and heritage such as children’s playgrounds, schools and green open space were paid attention to. The local residences were also involved in the redevelopment process. The representatives of the residents met local authorities on a regular basis to put forward their issues and opinions. Although many buildings were in bad conditions, maximum efforts were made to restore them. 

The valuable historic buildings from different periods represent cultural varieties. By restoring historic houses the cultural heritage is connected with modern culture. Therefore, urban heritage conservation is not only a contribution to the past, but also to rich culture today and tomorrow. The overall positive effects of these programs in Berlin were rather remarkable. Not only were the cultural values preserved, but also social, cultural and economic development with tourism development was effective. 

This successful example shows that conservation or redevelopment as a way of urban development, instead of new construction promotes not only economic growth, but more importantly, cultural values are kept during the restoration process. Also, the new capital complex built after the unification of Germany shows how design can avoid vulgar display and embody democratic values if there is political will. “Architecture sends distinct signals about the nature of the society in which it is designed.”

Berlin was restored and redesigned after the Second World War preserving the cultural heritage with social and economic development.. The redesign of Berlin had public involvement and participation in every stage to understand the needs and demands of the public. Cities evolve and as do the needs and demands making buildings irrelevant or less efficient over time. Dealing with these changes is an enormous challenge

Source: Summarized version of the article: Li Fan, Cautious Urban Redevelopment in Berlin, 44th ISOCARP Congress 2008 , Case study in Spandauer Vorstadt.

Li Fan, urban planner, National Research Center of Historic Cities, Tongji University, China

http://www.isocarp.net/Data/case_studies/1182.pdf

Article summarized by: Ar. Anushka Juneja