Berlin: Legacies of Division and Problems of Unification

Article published in the «The Geographical Journal» — 1992 — Vol. 158 — No. 1 (March) — p. 40-46The city of Berlin has developed over a period of 800 years. It provides a unique location for the study of urban processes under widely different geopolitical and economic conditions. This paper traces the history of urban development in Berlin from 1871 onwards, including the period of division of the city following the Second World War. It examines the spatial consequences of this division, and considers both the similarities and differences in urban development that occurred in East and West Berlin. The need for and problems of economic restructuring following unification are highlighted, as well as the necessity for planning Berlin's growth. It is suggested that as a latecomer in global metropolitan development, the city could benefit from the experiences of other cities.