Retro Berlin?
Bruce Martin on whether nostalgia or modernism will win out in plans to reshape the centre of Berlin.
Being a social art, architecture can hardly ever be separated from politics. Least of all on the palimpsest of the city of Berlin. The historical centre of Berlin is the area known as the Spreeinsel – an island formed by a division in the river Spree. Now that political unification has come about the Spreeinsel, in the former eastern sector, is correctly perceived as pivotal to any drive to bring together the once-separated parts of the city. This site of some forty hectares (a hundred acres) is currently the subject of an international urban design competition, the results of which are scheduled to be announced for May/June 1994. The jury panel includes several eminent architects and planners who are independent of the city and federal organisations, in addition to political appointees; but no lay members.
To continue reading this article you need to purchase a subscription, available from only £5.
Start my trial subscription now
If you have already purchased access, or are a print & archive subscriber, please ensure you are logged in.
Please email digital@historytoday.com if you have any problems.
