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Which means a comeback of Soviet-style blocks. Given that red-green-red coalition is basically a comeback of DDR socialist party, this feels like DDR strikes ba

Which means a comeback of Soviet-style blocks. Given that red-green-red coalition is basically a comeback of DDR socialist party, this feels like DDR strikes back in Berlin.

sudosysgen 6y ago
Why would it have to be Soviet blocks? There were actually two types of Soviet blocks in general terms. The first type was based on community and had a lot of greenery, a lot of community shops in walking distance, and those are actually worth quite a lot of money nowadays. The rest were those that were built in order to rapidly provide housing to workers as industrial capacity was being massively built up. In any case, in my city, the most iconic and beautiful housing structure was public housing, so if done right it can be beautiful and amazing to live in. Otherwise, the private housing market is always there as competition. If there's anyone I'd trust to get it right, it would be the Berlin lefties. Hopefully they are successful and set a good example for others to follow.
La1n 6y ago
Better soviet-style blocks than no housing.
- inglor_cz 6y ago
  I grew up in a city with a lot of Soviet-style blocks (Ostrava). Construction quality of said block living was notoriously shoddy. State of the buildings only improved when most of the units were sold into private hands (usually that of the tenants, no megacorps). After that, the tenants-turned-owners started investing into repairs and reconstructions.
llampx 6y ago
I live in Berlin and don't find anything wrong with Plattenbau (Soviet-style blocks). It can be done cheap or good, but even cheap is durable in this case. Many buildings are only now being refurbished, many decades after construction. What I like about former East Berlin is the walkability. Wide open pedestrian walkways, focus on public transport and plazas for people to gather. Contrast that to wide open roads, focus on the private automobile and malls elsewhere.

Which means a comeback of Soviet-style blocks. Given that red-green-red coalition is basically a comeback of DDR socialist party, this feels like DDR strikes back in Berlin.

sudosysgen 6y ago

Why would it have to be Soviet blocks? There were actually two types of Soviet blocks in general terms. The first type was based on community and had a lot of greenery, a lot of community shops in walking distance, and those are actually worth quite a lot of money nowadays. The rest were those that were built in order to rapidly provide housing to workers as industrial capacity was being massively built up. In any case, in my city, the most iconic and beautiful housing structure was public housing, so if done right it can be beautiful and amazing to live in. Otherwise, the private housing market is always there as competition. If there's anyone I'd trust to get it right, it would be the Berlin lefties. Hopefully they are successful and set a good example for others to follow.

La1n 6y ago

Better soviet-style blocks than no housing.

inglor_cz 6y ago
I grew up in a city with a lot of Soviet-style blocks (Ostrava). Construction quality of said block living was notoriously shoddy. State of the buildings only improved when most of the units were sold into private hands (usually that of the tenants, no megacorps). After that, the tenants-turned-owners started investing into repairs and reconstructions.

llampx 6y ago

I live in Berlin and don't find anything wrong with Plattenbau (Soviet-style blocks). It can be done cheap or good, but even cheap is durable in this case. Many buildings are only now being refurbished, many decades after construction. What I like about former East Berlin is the walkability. Wide open pedestrian walkways, focus on public transport and plazas for people to gather. Contrast that to wide open roads, focus on the private automobile and malls elsewhere.