Value and Making of Hobrecht's Berlin. Growth, change and heritage of the Berlin city expansion

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The binding land-use plan for the surroundings of Berlin from 1862 created a structure which characterizes the inner city up to today. In planning history James Hobrecht's plan is a recurring (often negative) reference. The 150th anniversary of the plan's approval in 2012, which received only little attention, is reason for a cross-disciplinary research project. Aim of the project is to examine the history of the plan's ideas and its actual history. The project includes (1) a deepened analysis of the plan and its logic as a framework for city expansion, (2) a visualization of the urban development in view of the plan's sturdiness as a framework for city expansion and (3) an examination of the cultural, historic and artistic value of the resulting urban space.Ascriptions of value, spatial development and substance of the plan are summarized by the term 'Hobrechtsches Berlin' (Hobrecht's Berlin) in order to cover the multidimensionality of the subject. This complexity is also reflected by the combination of morphological urban-analyses with corresponding examinations of visions, societal appreciation and comparable European city expansion plans, for example in Paris, London and Barcelona. The aim of this research project is to acquire new findings on the structure of the city of Berlin and to reappraise Hobrecht's contribution to city planning and urban development. In addition, the research project enriches current debates on the European City and their common heritage and encourages further critical reflection.