Berlin is changing: renamed more than 16 streets - why this is important!
Berlin is changing: renamed more than 16 streets - why this is important!
A total of at least 16 streets and squares have been renamed Berlin in the past six years in Berlin. These measures are part of a larger initiative that deals with the critical processing of namesake that have colonialist, racist, anti-Semitic or Nazi references. So far, more than a dozen road renovations have been carried out in order to reflect on historical injustices and to create memory. The majority of these renams took place according to n-tv in the district and followed by Neukölln and Charlottenburg-Wilmersdorf.The symbolically charged renaming is the renaming of Wissmannstraße to Lucy-Lameck-Straße in Neukölln in 2021. A few streets have also been renamed in the past few years, including Petersallee, which was converted into Anna-unitunda-Allee and Maji-Maji-Allee. Lüderitzstraße was given the name Cornelius-Fredericks-Straße, while the Nachtigalplatz became Manga-Bell-Platz. Latest renams concern Maerckerweg, which is now called Maria-Rimkus-Weg, and the Elkartsweg, which was renamed Erna-Koschwitz-Weg.
origin of the renaming
The renaming became possible by expanding the execution regulations of the Berlin Road Act in 2020. These regulations enable roads to be renamed by people or terms that are connected to colonialism, slavery or racist ideologies, such as berlin.de reported. In the Mitte district, where a particularly large number of road operators were objected to, there are numerous organizations that have been committed to a critical examination of these references since the 1980s.
Another example of the current discussion is Mohrenstrasse, which has been controversial for decades and is to be renamed Anton-Wilhelm-Amo-Straße. Proponents of renaming argue that the existing name has racist connotations and is therefore essential to change the name. At the moment, however, the renaming process has not yet been completed.
honors and planned renaming
In addition, renams of the deceased persons were also renamed. In 2022, Heinrichplatz was renamed Rio-Reiser-Platz and in 2023 some of the Manteuffelstrasse received the name Audre-Lorde-Straße. In Neukölln the Uwe Lieschied-Straße and Roland-Krüger-Straße were renamed in honor of two deceased police officers.
In the near future, further renams are planned. For example, the Treitschkestrasse in Steglitz-Zehlendorf is on the list to be renamed Betty-Katz-Straße. Beuthstrasse in Pankow is to be renamed Elizabeth-Shaw-Straße, while Nettelbeckplatz is to be renamed Martha-Indumbe-Platz.
dealing with anti -Semitism
The renaming also touch the topic of anti -Semitism. A discussion about streets with anti -Jews is underway. For example, the Maerckerweg in Lankwitz was recently renamed Maria-Rimkus-Weg. According to a dossier by Samuel Salzborn, the contact person in Berlin for anti -Semitism, there are more than 290 names, whose carriers are considered anti -Semites. It is discussed to recommend a renaming in about 100 cases, which leads to intensive debates in various districts. The time describes that a large number of initiatives deal with this problem.
A separate part of the future Berlin History app will be dedicated to some parties, as well as a history teaching trail in Pacelliallee in Dahlem is created for further contextualization of the street names there.
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| Ort | Steglitz-Zehlendorf, Deutschland |
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