Archive: The Capital City of Berlin - Documentation

Berlin had begun to prepare for the parliamentarians in good time. As early as 15 October 1991, the Berlin Senate decided to carry out a preparatory investigation, in which the areas to be designated for urban development should be determined. This preliminary investigation into the "Development Measure for the Capital City of Berlin - Parliamentary and Government Quarter" included a thorough analysis of the historical development of the cityscape and district structures. Further, the existing ownership structure as well as the social, economic and ecological structures were investigated. The building measures necessary were derived from this information and the anticipated costs estimated. In doing so, not only had the legal planning situation to be considered but also the partly differing aims of those involved. These were not only the Federation and the State of Berlin, but also the city boroughs, which were immediately involved in the investigation area, as well as important institutions, the media and other organisations.

As a result of the investigation, the development area could be clearly identified.
It consisted of two parts:

• the area E1 with the Spreebogen and Reichstag as its core, the Moabiter Werder and Humboldthafen, the office blocks on both sides of the Clara-Zetkin-Straße (Luisenstraße) and the Otto-Grotewohl-Straße (Wilhelmstraße) as well as
• the area E2 with the Spreeinsel, Friedrichswerder and a part of the residential area along the Leipziger Straße.

Both areas together comprised some 260 hectares land. Whilst the E1area was characterised by wasteland and unused building plots, in the E2 area there were large building complexes, which would have to be adapted to the new requirements. Isolated residential blocks lay in both development areas. They should not be changed in their substance, but be adapted to the urban environment envisaged. These residential blocks were divided into three categories, according to the adaptation envisaged. Here it was important to protect affordable residential accommodation against other uses. The residential environment should also be improved as part of and using funds from the development measure. This ensured to fulfill the policy, that the relocation of the institutions of the state capital must also serve to benefit the people.

2006
Development Area E1 + E2
The new Parliamentary and Government Quarter is integrated into the historical city.

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