Development in Marzahn compared to Regina Suburbs

The creation and existence of the suburb of Berlin Marzahn is quite different to those newly built in Regina.  Marzahn was the result of an answer to a potential housing crisis in Berlin, but specifically the former East portion of the city.  In this time period, there was mass construction occurring resulting in more than 2.1 million apartments being built, taking up approximately 83% of all housing construction of East Germany (Rubin).  An extensive project such as this meant that a large portion of previous agricultural land would be transformed into a completely new environment.  Not only did the creation of Marzahn mean new housing units, but also new amenities and everything else required in a community was built as well, including high schools and health centres.

Health Centre in Marzahn

Typical apartment buildings in Marzahn

Much of this revitalization and creation of a new community varies quite differently from newly developed neighbourhoods in Regina; Harbour Landing is a primary example of this.  There is a similarity of short construction time given what has been built over the previous 5 to 10 years.  However, the sheer degree and intensity of development is quite different.  Not only that, but the inclusion of community resources such as schools is different from Harbour Landing as well.  Yes, there was an area that was specifically developed nearby to be for shopping purposes, but there is not enough resources for the area to sustain itself completely.

In terms of applying for residence in Harbour Landing, this area differs quite a bit from Marzahn as well.  In order to qualify for a chance to live in an apartment in Marzahn, one would basically be required to be a family with kids as the apartments were built with 3 to 4 rooms.  However, Harbour Landing offers a variety of housing options including townhouses or apartments as well, without specific family requirements, but more so dependent upon a good financial standing.

Overall, while both communities are similar in that development occurred relatively quickly, Marzahn occurred much faster and to a greater degree, but also had different admission requirements due to the socialist government at the time.


Source: Eli Rubin. "Concrete Utopia: Everyday Life and Socialism in Berlin-Marzahn” Bulletin of the German Historical Institute Supplement 7, 2011: East German Material Culture and the Power of Memory, 29-45.