The political impact influenced by the Berlin Wall on the architecture of the surrounding buildings

Abstract

This thesis investigates the impact of the political changes on architecture during the Berlin Wall. The political changes started during and after WW2 (1939-1961). The tension between the parties became larger, which led to the Berlin Wall in 1961. The Berlin Wall increased the division of the parties even more, which became visible in the architecture. The expression of their political ideologies has become visible on the streets in several ways. East and West Berlin had their own methods to implement their ideologies. Some of the methods are more visible than others. By going in-depth between four case studies from East and West Berlin these methods and ideologies become visible. The case studies are located in Mitte Berlin, the central heart of the city. The case studies that were chosen are large-scale projects that can be seen as monuments or icons. Their common interest lies in their symbolic meaning combined with the architectural expression.