Field Question-Berlin Marzahn v. Fairways West
May 13, 2015
There are major differences between
Berlin and Regina with respect to the design of suburbs. For example, Berlin
Marzahn was designed very differently than Fairways West. According to Eli
Rubin, Berlin Marzahn was “the largest of numerous settlement projects like it
throughout the GDR” (2011, 29). This development had been planned to build the apartments
as quickly as possible in order to eliminate the housing shortage in former
East Berlin. The buildings were designed as identical concrete slabs and once built,
housed 400,000 people in 150,000 apartments. The development of this area was carefully
planned by the German Architectural Academy and the city planning office of
East Berlin. The design included wide, straight roads, streetcars, parks and
playgrounds. This plan allowed the Eastern Berlin government to control their
people in the same way as the retail stores, entertainment and living
conditions were also controlled.
Contrastingly, Fairways West was
designed by Harvard Communities, a private company who offers the freedom of
choice to civilians who may choose between a variety of houses built by 17
different home builders. Fairways West sub division was built near shopping,
dining and entertainment destinations and advertises well maintained green spaces
with professionally designed streetscapes. Fairways West allows residents to choose
a house that fits their specific needs.
Berlin Marzahn and Fairways West
differ in that Berlin Marzahn was designed and built by the government to
control its residents whereas Fairways West was designed by a private company, built
to promote freedom of choice and diversity and is located in a setting where most
amenities already existed.
Resources:
Harvard Communities (2013). “Fairways West”
[Online]
Available: http://harvardcommunities.ca/fairwayswest/
Rubin, E. (2011). “Concrete Utopia.
Everyday Life and Socialism in Berlin-Marzahn” Socialist Architecture, 29-45.
5 comments:
You made a very good point about how, essentially, the two developments were developed by two completely different types of organizations: Government and private corporations. I actually didn't even think of that until reading this article, but it's so obvious now. Great job.
Thanks Vince! I think it is an important distinction since private corporations and the government usually do not have corresponding goals! The government usually has the best interest of the people in mind while private organizations are usually aimed at making the highest amount of profit!
Post a Comment