Reknitting the urban fabric : a new Alexander Platz as a link and connector in the formerly divided Berlin

Abstract

Berlin like many other European cities, is facing the dilemma of encountering the new century with a new set of growth and development ideas. This particularly applies to the fragmented urban fabric of the Germany's Capital City. The dilemma is how to rectify the urban the urban environment surrounding Alexander Platz in East Berlin while tying the formerly divided city together. This thesis will evaluate Berlin's current and past urban nodes and linkages pushing beyond the context of the proposed site. This thesis will concentrate on several nodes and links that would allow fresh solutions to the problem of creating a continuum between the past and present at Alexander Platz. This thesis will analyze the previous models of urban spaces in Berlin, their transformations, and evaluate the existing conditions of Alexander Platz. The final approach will combine working solutions with a new design proposal. The basic idea is that of partial urban renewal; nevertheless; the primary goal will be to provide alternatives to retrofit the open space of the Alexander Platz for contemporary Berlin. This thesis is an attempt to create a new node at the Alexander Platz by models and themes of urban design that are recognized by both sides of the formerly divided Berlin.