Berlin is without a doubt one of Europe’s most vibrant and creative capitals; but is it falling victim to the fate of gentrification?
‘Berlin, the greatest cultural extravaganza that one could imagine’, David Bowie once said. He is perhaps one of the most famous figures to have lived and worked in the German capital over the years, but the city has seen countless creatives before and since choosing it as their place of work. A hub for artists, writers, musicians, designers and beyond, the city boasts a rich and abundant creative scene and has built up a substantial reputation for fostering the potential of the arts.
According to UNESCO, which counts Berlin as a member of its Creative Cities Network, the city has evolved into ‘a culturally diverse, tolerant, and cosmopolitan metropolis attracting talented individuals and creative minds from all around the world’. And examples of its creativity can be found around every corner – from the graffiti adorning the city walls, to spontaneous street performers, to the cutting-edge fashion sported by its residents.
All about culture
As Andy Pratt argues, a creative city ‘cannot be founded like some cathedral in the desert; it needs to be linked to, and to be part of, an already existing cultural environment’. Berlin fits this criteria, with its long-standing free-spirited, non-conformist attitude and abundance of cultural spaces and events.
The East Side Gallery is one of the most poignant examples of Berlin’s ability to turn its divided past into powerful creative expression, and its murals make up one of the world’s largest ongoing pieces of art.
Creativity meets affordability?
Berlin previously seemed to have struck a balance between creativity and affordability with effortless ease. Rent prices had been relatively inexpensive, and the city seemed to have avoided the corporate fate of other capitals such as London. This means that creatives have been able to live and work there with less fear of financial instability. However, this is under increasing threat…
Emerging gentrification
The vitality of Berlin and its appeal to creatives does, unfortunately, have its downsides; like various other creative cities, it is vulnerable to the threat of rising rent prices and a lack of living space, even beyond the glossy sheen of central areas such as Alexanderplatz.
In 2008, the ‘Be Berlin’ campaign was launched, in a move reminiscent of Richard Florida’s ideas surrounding the vying of cities to attract the ‘creative class’. It aimed to market the city as a haven for creatives, improve its international reputation and promote economic growth, yet its implementation has sparked fresh struggles against displacement and gentrification.
The transformation of neighbourhoods such as Neukölln, where I stayed during my time in Berlin, have sent waves of tension between established residents and young creatives moving into the area. Once a deprived and undesirable part of Berlin, in recent years an increasing number of young people and artists have relocated there; followed, perhaps consequentially, by the appearance of trendy coffee shops, vegan cafes and vintage boutiques.
The two cultures, of old and new, of poverty and affluence, coexist and collide with mixed reactions. But one thing is clear: emerging gentrification is happening to the detriment of both long-time residents of Berlin and young creatives, who may find it increasingly difficult to live and work there – and it seems that the fight against it continues boldly on.
With residents pushing for a referendum to expropriate apartments from large landlords, will Berlin become one of Europe’s most accessible creative hubs once more?
CREATIVE CONVERSATION 