Abstract
This thesis examines Berlin’s 20th century record of innovative higher densityresidential and mixed-use projects. Particular emphasis is given to the period
following Berlin’s 1990 reunification, when the government adopted the
European city model to inform development in both the city centre and on
brownfield and greenfield sites further afield. The European city model is
characterised by a compact, mid-rise urban form with a fine-grain, mixed-use
structure. The thesis argues that if we are to reform our cities towards a more
compact and sustainable form, then Berlin offers instructive models from
which we can learn.
Through the direct and detailed in-situ comparison of a broad range of Berlin
case studies from across the 20th century, this research adopts the approach of
Panerai et al. (2004, p.5) that ‘mixes architectural knowledge, awareness of
context and direct observation in order to bring about some reflection (which,
then, of course takes you back to history) while raising questions over our
capacity today to design the city.’ The thesis examines shifting professional
paradigms about the form of the city and its architecture and how these
competing models were considered in the projects of the 1990s. These recent
projects highlight differences in models for Berlin’s ‘urban’ and ‘suburban’
locations. The inner city ‘urban’ projects demonstrate the (largely) successful
implementation of the European city model to reinstate a resilient and
coherent urban fabric that supports the diverse and vital cultural life for which
Berlin is famous. On the other hand, the ‘suburban’ projects – the brownfield
and greenfield sites located outside the city centre – illustrate how the
European city model was tempered by an urban design approach directly
influenced by the early housing reform, Garden City and Modern movements.
The innovative urban design of these new garden-oriented suburbs includes a
variety of attractive and affordable higher density housing types. Both the
urban and suburban projects are found to be valid and instructive models for
creating more compact and sustainable cities.
This research examines both the procedures of urban design – the client brief,
planning policies, design and development processes – and the physical
products – the built outcome of buildings, landscape and open spaces. While
the case studies consider the work of architects, the main focus is on urban
design – the comprehensive design of precincts – rather than on individual
buildings.
This research demonstrates how high quality integrated neighbourhood
designs are the direct outcome of Berlin’s compact city policies, with statutory
master plans playing a key role during the market-driven 1990s. These privately
financed higher density projects demonstrate how a statutory master plan can
be developed through design competitions and public consultation to address a
broad range of issues. This includes consideration of the design and role of
public space, a mix of uses, the spatial enclosure of the public realm, density,
residential amenity, housing diversity and housing affordability
| Date of Award | 2019 |
|---|---|
| Original language | English |
| Supervisor | Stephen Frith (Supervisor) & Eugenie Keefer Bell (Supervisor) |