Advantages of high garages and open ground floors: Innovative solutions for individual car traffic in Berlin

Advantages of high garages and open ground floors: Innovative solutions for individual car traffic in Berlin

Title: “Alternatives to traditional car traffic in Berlin: Hochmaragen and Stop Neubauten”

subtitle: "Improvement of urban planning and air circulation through innovative construction concepts"

In Berlin, the individual car traffic seems to shape the cityscape for the foreseeable future, as many citizens vehemently protest against the loss of parking spaces. The prospect of having to give up their beloved parking spaces for apartments unsettles many people and even leads to the announcement to choose the AfD. The AfD is known for its market -radical attitude towards tenant rights, but the angry citizens rely on the preservation of their parking spaces instead of a comprehensive analysis of election programs.

In order to address the problem of traditional car traffic, there are innovative solutions that do not amount to the construction of climate -damaging and costly underground car parks. There was one possibility, for example, in high garages that accommodate supermarkets or service centers on the ground floor and offer space for sports and playgrounds on the roofs. A current example of this can be found in Copenhagen, where such a building was designed as a hanging garden. Historically, there were also high -garage towers in New York in the 1920s.

Another option is to build buildings on pillars, which creates an open, increased area as a living and office area. This approach was popular in Berlin in the period after the Second World War and can be seen, for example, in the Hansaviertel at the house of Oscar Niemeyer or at the Corbusier-Haus in Charlottenburg. This model can still be found in countries such as France, Italy, Spain and Greece. For example, in the middle of the old town of Poitiers in France, a house was placed in the former place of a Roman amphitheater, which still looks good and in particular creates space for cars.

These alternatives will certainly not solve all problems and not always be aesthetically satisfactory. However, in view of the still existing building gaps in downtown Berlin and the ongoing struggle for parking spaces, they are definitely superior. In addition, the better ventilation of the city would help to ensure that the air flows into the house blocks and brings coolness and refreshment - as we needed in June so much. If we finally live in an era in which children are granted more space than private cars and these are no longer regarded as status symbols, but as a joint objects, in consideration of fellow citizens and climate, these open ground floors could be used in a variety of ways, for example as playgrounds, benches, greenhouses, kiosks or bicycle workshops. What actually speaks about it?

Of course there are concerns from the homeowners regarding rental losses and insurance costs as well as concerns from the tenants regarding their peace. The Berlin building administrations are still in favor of closed house walls, as has been common since the imperial period. Despite these challenges, it is still important to discuss innovative ideas for improving urban planning and promoting environmentally friendly traffic alternatives. After all, you should still have the right to dream.