http://www.spiegel.de Daily news, analysis and opinion from Europe's leading newsmagazine and Germany's top news Web site. en Fri, 24 May 2013 21:19:00 +0200 Fri, 24 May 2013 21:19:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de http://www.spiegel.de/static/sys/logo_120x61.gif http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/nazi-references-used-in-anti-swabian-berlin-gentrification-feud-a-900078.html#ref=rss It may have begun as a joke, but with the adoption of slogans used by the Nazis, an ongoing feud pitting long-time Berliners against newer residents from southern Germany may have crossed a line. Thu, 16 May 2013 17:27:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/nazi-references-used-in-anti-swabian-berlin-gentrification-feud-a-900078.html It may have begun as a joke, but with the adoption of slogans used by the Nazis, an ongoing feud pitting long-time Berliners against newer residents from southern Germany may have crossed a line.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/resident-groups-form-to-fight-evictions-in-germany-a-896188.html#ref=rss Skyrocketing rents in many German cities are pitting residents against real estate developers and landlords. The recent death of an elderly woman forced out of her apartment has emboldened alliances to protest evictions with sit-ins. Thu, 25 Apr 2013 12:02:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/resident-groups-form-to-fight-evictions-in-germany-a-896188.html Skyrocketing rents in many German cities are pitting residents against real estate developers and landlords. The recent death of an elderly woman forced out of her apartment has emboldened alliances to protest evictions with sit-ins.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/stasi-suspicions-east-side-gallery-developer-hinkel-past-in-question-a-893110.html#ref=rss Maik Uwe Hinkel, the controversial investor behind the luxury apartment complex that has displaced parts of Berlin's East Side Gallery, is a staunch socialist. There is also evidence that suggests he may have been a spy for East Germany's notorious secret police, the Stasi. Mon, 08 Apr 2013 13:15:09 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/stasi-suspicions-east-side-gallery-developer-hinkel-past-in-question-a-893110.html Maik Uwe Hinkel, the controversial investor behind the luxury apartment complex that has displaced parts of Berlin's East Side Gallery, is a staunch socialist. There is also evidence that suggests he may have been a spy for East Germany's notorious secret police, the Stasi. ]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/architecture-in-berlin-an-urban-planning-disaster-a-890025.html#ref=rss Klaus Wowereit, Berlin's mayor since 2001, has watched his city become one of world's coolest artistic meccas. But under his guidance, the city has devolved into a backward-looking architectural wasteland in which urban planning only favors the rich. Fri, 22 Mar 2013 18:18:00 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/architecture-in-berlin-an-urban-planning-disaster-a-890025.html Klaus Wowereit, Berlin's mayor since 2001, has watched his city become one of world's coolest artistic meccas. But under his guidance, the city has devolved into a backward-looking architectural wasteland in which urban planning only favors the rich.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/protesters-halt-dismantling-of-berlin-wall-section-for-luxury-condos-a-886396.html#ref=rss In 1989, the crowds yelled for the Berlin Wall to come down. But, on Friday, hundreds of protesters stopped workers from dismantling part of the longest remaining stretch of the Wall so that a luxury apartment complex could be built. Fri, 01 Mar 2013 17:33:00 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/protesters-halt-dismantling-of-berlin-wall-section-for-luxury-condos-a-886396.html In 1989, the crowds yelled for the Berlin Wall to come down. But, on Friday, hundreds of protesters stopped workers from dismantling part of the longest remaining stretch of the Wall so that a luxury apartment complex could be built. ]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/guelbol-family-eviction-sparks-protests-in-kreuzberg-a-883616.html#ref=rss Violent protests broke out in Berlin's Kreuzberg neighborhood on Thursday after a Turkish family was forced to leave their apartment for refusing to pay higher rent. Cars were set ablaze and demonstrators scuffled with police. The long simmering conflict reveals continued tension over the city's rising rents. Fri, 15 Feb 2013 13:09:00 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/guelbol-family-eviction-sparks-protests-in-kreuzberg-a-883616.html http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/gentrification-row-in-berlin-reveals-tensions-over-disparities-between-states-a-875528.html#ref=rss Newcomers from all over Germany have been flocking to Berlin since reunification in 1990. One politician argues that too many people from southern Germany's Swabia region have been landing in the fast-gentrifying Prenzlauer Berg district. As a former East Berliner, Wolfgang Thierse half-jokes that he's part of an "endangered species" in the neighborhood.  Thu, 03 Jan 2013 18:38:35 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/gentrification-row-in-berlin-reveals-tensions-over-disparities-between-states-a-875528.html http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/german-renters-pinched-by-rising-costs-and-decreasing-supply-a-875224.html#ref=rss The exploding costs and dwindling supply of urban housing are slowly pushing Germans of average means out of the cities. As September's national election approaches, politicians are jockeying to find viable solutions to a problem they helped create. Wed, 02 Jan 2013 13:37:00 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/german-renters-pinched-by-rising-costs-and-decreasing-supply-a-875224.html The exploding costs and dwindling supply of urban housing are slowly pushing Germans of average means out of the cities. As September's national election approaches, politicians are jockeying to find viable solutions to a problem they helped create.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/real-estate-boom-threatens-to-end-dream-of-affordable-life-in-berlin-a-859420.html#ref=rss Berlin was once an exception to the rule that cool cities have high property and rent prices. But those days are quickly ending. A new wave of private investors has led to skyrocketing prices, forcing low-earners to the city's periphery. Thu, 04 Oct 2012 13:10:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/real-estate-boom-threatens-to-end-dream-of-affordable-life-in-berlin-a-859420.html http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/berlin-artists-squat-tacheles-is-cleared-after-legal-disputes-a-853868.html#ref=rss An era ended in Berlin on Tuesday when bailiffs cleared Tacheles, a derelict artists' squat. The graffiti-smeared, bomb-damaged building was a major tourist attraction because it gave visitors a taste of the chaotic, heady days of freedom Berlin enjoyed after the Wall fell. But the city has moved on. Tue, 04 Sep 2012 15:56:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/berlin-artists-squat-tacheles-is-cleared-after-legal-disputes-a-853868.html http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/retirees-occupy-community-center-in-berlin-with-stasi-history-a-842981.html#ref=rss The building was once used by the Stasi, East Germany's dreaded secret police. But, more recently, it has served as a popular activity center for seniors in a high-rent neighborhood. When local authorities decided to shut it down and sell it, retirees adopted a classic Berlin tactic: squatting. And they're determined to win. Fri, 06 Jul 2012 15:36:10 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/retirees-occupy-community-center-in-berlin-with-stasi-history-a-842981.html http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/berliners-protest-against-plan-by-gema-to-raise-music-performance-tariffs-a-840982.html#ref=rss Thousands of Berliners demonstrated on Monday night against a planned increase in music performance fees that the club community says could sound the death knell for many nightclubs in the city. The charges could further damage one of Berlin's main attractions -- its nightlife, already under threat from relentless gentrification. Tue, 26 Jun 2012 13:26:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/berliners-protest-against-plan-by-gema-to-raise-music-performance-tariffs-a-840982.html Thousands of Berliners demonstrated on Monday night against a planned increase in music performance fees that the club community says could sound the death knell for many nightclubs in the city. The charges could further damage one of Berlin's main attractions -- its nightlife, already under threat from relentless gentrification. ]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/german-press-review-on-guggenheim-lab-relocation-in-berlin-a-825734.html#ref=rss Organizers of the BMW Guggenheim Lab recently abandoned its original location in Berlin amid fears of violent protests by anti-gentrification activists. They have now announced that the project will go forward, albeit at a more upscale location. German commentators say on Wednesday that while the resistance was a scandal, the city must address citizens' concerns about social exclusion. Wed, 04 Apr 2012 15:14:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/german-press-review-on-guggenheim-lab-relocation-in-berlin-a-825734.html http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/berlin-night-clubs-under-threat-from-gentrification-a-824375.html#ref=rss Berlin's famous club scene is under threat from residents complaining about the noise and investors bent on converting venues into posh apartments. Now local politicians plan to set up a fund to rescue the city's reputation as a trendy party town. Wed, 28 Mar 2012 19:04:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/berlin-night-clubs-under-threat-from-gentrification-a-824375.html http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/guggenheim-lab-cancels-berlin-project-a-822853.html#ref=rss The "BMW Guggenheim Lab" is supposed to find new solutions for urban living. But some residents of Berlin's scrappy Kreuzberg district weren't happy about the project coming to their neighborhood. The organizers have now abandoned the location after police concluded there was a "high risk" of property damage. Wed, 21 Mar 2012 17:04:00 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/guggenheim-lab-cancels-berlin-project-a-822853.html The "BMW Guggenheim Lab" is supposed to find new solutions for urban living. But some residents of Berlin's scrappy Kreuzberg district weren't happy about the project coming to their neighborhood. The organizers have now abandoned the location after police concluded there was a "high risk" of property damage.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/easy-living-on-the-spree-as-rents-rise-some-berliners-find-refuge-on-the-water-a-809327.html#ref=rss As rents continue to rise in Berlin, many young people are finding it harder to afford apartments on land. Some have opted instead to build their own houseboats and moor them along the city's Spree River. One even plans to open his abode up to tourists seeking accommodation this summer. Thu, 16 Feb 2012 14:39:00 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/easy-living-on-the-spree-as-rents-rise-some-berliners-find-refuge-on-the-water-a-809327.html http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/a-ghetto-for-the-jet-set-munich-faces-dark-side-of-a-housing-boom-a-796821.html#ref=rss Munich has the highest rents and real estate prices of any major German city. Luxury renovations are changing the face of entire neighborhoods, while lower-income residents are being driven out of the city. But not all are willing to let the rich take over the city without a fight. Thu, 10 Nov 2011 14:50:30 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/a-ghetto-for-the-jet-set-munich-faces-dark-side-of-a-housing-boom-a-796821.html Munich has the highest rents and real estate prices of any major German city. Luxury renovations are changing the face of entire neighborhoods, while lower-income residents are being driven out of the city. But not all are willing to let the rich take over the city without a fight.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/a-victim-of-its-own-success-berlin-drowns-in-tourist-hordes-and-rising-rents-a-786392.html#ref=rss Berlin is struggling to maintain its identity as its popularity soars. Budget tourists are flocking to the German capital, eager to sample the famous nightlife, while Scandinavian investors are snapping up cheap real estate. Residents are protesting, but the gentrification juggernaut seems unstoppable. Fri, 16 Sep 2011 15:08:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/a-victim-of-its-own-success-berlin-drowns-in-tourist-hordes-and-rising-rents-a-786392.html Berlin is struggling to maintain its identity as its popularity soars. Budget tourists are flocking to the German capital, eager to sample the famous nightlife, while Scandinavian investors are snapping up cheap real estate. Residents are protesting, but the gentrification juggernaut seems unstoppable.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/berlin-s-gentrification-row-locals-rage-against-rising-rents-a-784966.html#ref=rss Berlin's Kreuzberg and Neukölln districts were once known for cheap rents and diversity. But their edgy urban charm has attracted both affluent residents and international investors, jacking up rents in the process. Now long-time locals are fighting to keep their flats. Thu, 08 Sep 2011 15:08:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/berlin-s-gentrification-row-locals-rage-against-rising-rents-a-784966.html Berlin's Kreuzberg and Neukölln districts were once known for cheap rents and diversity. But their edgy urban charm has attracted both affluent residents and international investors, jacking up rents in the process. Now long-time locals are fighting to keep their flats.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/arson-in-berlin-car-burnings-are-a-precursor-to-terrorism-a-780965.html#ref=rss The last three nights have seen an unprecedented wave of car torchings in Berlin, but police are not sure who to arrest. Politicians on the left and right warn the attacks could lead to more dangerous forms of protest. Meanwhile, the failure to stop them could sway September's mayoral election. Thu, 18 Aug 2011 13:48:51 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/arson-in-berlin-car-burnings-are-a-precursor-to-terrorism-a-780965.html The last three nights have seen an unprecedented wave of car torchings in Berlin, but police are not sure who to arrest. Politicians on the left and right warn the attacks could lead to more dangerous forms of protest. Meanwhile, the failure to stop them could sway September's mayoral election.]]>