Alternative Kreuzberg

Berlin’s Kreuzberg neighborhood has a long history of alternative culture, self-organized initiatives, civil-society activism and urban experimentation. This former fringe area of West Berlin, bordering the Berlin Wall, became a central district in a major European city practically overnight in 1990. Urban regeneration experiments, open lots, squats, art spaces and immigrants from all over the world have turned Kreuzberg into one of Germany’s most vibrant districts. This area’s unique history has created a mixture of a dense urban center teeming with activity, as well as hidden spaces providing green oases – fertile ground for those seeking to launch their own neighborhood projects. The current situation, however, is one of gentrification and rising rents.

Discover and explore with us this fascinating urban landscape. Our tour visits Kreuzberg’s inspiring grassroots projects, which improve the quality of life of the citizens. We visit urban gardens both large- and small-scale, a children’s farm, informal settlements, ecological architecture, public markets, regenerated art spaces and new collaborative housing developments. Berlin’s turbulent historical context is also emphasized, as we partially follow the route of the former Berlin Wall and explain urban planning projects from the 1800s to the present day. Immerse yourself in the quintessential Berlin neighborhood!

Highlights

Spreefeld Berlin

An innovative combination of private and public uses, temporary and permanent projects, living and working, urban farming and culture. Is that possible? “Yes, of course!”, say the architects Zusammenarbeiter, Spreefeld project planners. Emerging on a field attractively located on downtown Berlin’s riverside, the Spreefeld is a unique experiment of cooperative self-organization and direct citizens’ participation.

Visit Spreefeld Berlin's website
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Ton, Steine, Gärten

Neighboring Berlin’s oldest squat, the Rauchhaus, this intercultural garden is a place for all kinds of people from the Kreuzberg neighborhood. Community grown vegetables, flowers and herbs show the strong integrative and positive societal effects of this project.

Visit Ton, Steine, Gärten's website