Building Protection expanded - a proposal




Map Explanation
The above map of Berlin marks the location of the buildings which in my point of view would be worth being protected by the laws of monument protection...
Also it shows sites and buildings which I propose to be reconstructed.

Red marks              Buildings constructed before 1918, 
                                 proposal for protection
Green marks           Buildings constructed between 1918 
                                 and 1945, proposal for protection
Red stars                 Buildings constructed before 1918,
                                 reconstruction of facades proposed
Yellow stars            Complete reconstruction proposed 

Purple surfaces      Reconstructed urban spaces


Why more protected buildings?
Simply in order to save the cultural and architectural identity and diversity of the city. Many buildings, especially of the pre-war era, were destroyed or have been demolished completely. The still existing rest has been changed a lot, especially regarding the facades: Plaster has been removed, decorated wooden windows have been replaced by often unproportioned and simple plastic windows. This way many buildings already lost their original appearance after World War II. I claim that this is a typical phenomenon of German cities with Berlin being no exception. There are understandable reasons why  the architecture especially from the time of the German monarchy till 1918 had become very unpopular not only after the Second World War but already in the 1920ies. But these reasons in my point of view don´t justify the massive destruction of architectural heritage which was done in the post-war era and in some means has been continued till today. There could have been more 'sensitive' ways to update these buildings in order to improve i.e. the exposure to light, the sanitary facilities or the insulation.
At this point I want to get clear that I´m a fan of many modern buildings. But I think both, the modern and the historic buildings have a value for the city and show its history. So I speak out for a co-existence or even better for generating a synergy of these two in contrast to an ideological warfare. 
So with this map I´d like to give food for thought to a discussion about the value of buildings of different epoches which may till now not be seen as an important part of our heritage possibly because they have been there all the time and slowly disappear in a very unspectacular way..


PS
- All of the buildings marked in the map are NOT listed as protected buildings until now - I cross-checked that - but the special characteristics of their street facades would be worth being protected I think.
- The map will be extended from time to time. Due to the sheer mass of buildings in the inner city of Berlin I just focused on the district of Wilmersdorf as a start..  
- I plan to expand this section of my blogging page regarding this topic. Stay tuned:)

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