Introduction

Chapter 3 traces the contradictory history of urban design in the Spandauer Vorstadt in Berlin’s MiĴe district, which aĞer the German reunification became an “arty” neighborhood with swanky bars, high-class boutiques, and rising real estate prices. For more than 30 years, the area remained the subject of “reconstruction” plans-only that until the 1970s, the term “reconstruction” was used synonymous with comprehensive demolition, while later it implied a more or less historically accurate remodeling completed with new construction in a historical style. In the Spandauer Vorstadt, the socialist leaders aĴempted to convey an idea of Old Berlin through the reconstruction of historic façades, shops, and restaurants.