HOW TO CREATE A GENERIC CITY: BERLIN AS CASE STUDY FOR THE PRESERVATION OF IDENTITY AND CHARACTER ON A CHANGING HISTORICAL CULTURAL LANDSCAPE

Daniella Martins Costa

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Complete Paper

Summary

Paper Title

HOW TO CREATE A GENERIC CITY: BERLIN AS CASE STUDY FOR THE PRESERVATION OF IDENTITY AND CHARACTER ON A CHANGING HISTORICAL CULTURAL LANDSCAPE

Authors

Daniella Martins Costa

Modality

Abstract

Subject area

3. Universalism and diversity: Rereading the Doctrinal Documents from Diverse Perspectives - A discussion on the importance of the Venice Charter (and other related doctrinal documents) through diverse epistemologies and perspectives, acknowledging the cultural diversity of heritage and exploring contributions from the Global South.

Publishing Date

11/04/2025

Country of Publishing

Brazil | Brasil

Language of Publishing

en-US

Paper Page

https://www.even3.com.br/anais/icomos-scientific-symposium-2024-439820/826719-how-to-create-a-generic-city--berlin-as-case-study-for-the-preservation-of-identity-and-character-on-a-changing-h

ISBN

978-65-272-1284-3

Keywords

Berlin, Cultural landscape, Historic sites, Venice charter, identity, memory

Summary

This work presents the initial reflections on the research “Berlin, and the importance of cultural landscape for memory, affection and identity in a laboratory city”. This text would like to reflect, starting from the re-reading of doctrinal documents on the preservation of cultural heritage, about the challenges in conserving historic urban sites in full development. This is exactly the case of our object of study, the complex city of Berlin, located in northern Germany. In recent years, the city has attracted people from all over Europe, whether in search of better living and working conditions, or because of its more open policy towards the integration of refugees caused by the ongoing wars in neighboring countries and continents. The present-day Berlin tries to expand to encompass new ways of living, working, and new cultures. At the same time tries to retain material traces of its recent history, what do not allow the nation and the world, to forget the dangers of extremism and the destruction of war. However, in this effort not to forget, like Borges and its Funes, and to renew itself and grow at the same time, the city lost the thread of the narrative, especially in historic areas that were being developed in the last twenty years. This new growth spurt has transformed parts of Berlin into a generic city, that is, the peculiar atmosphere has given way to a generic one. Is it possible for a city to renew itself without losing its character, its identity? This complex issue, which arises from the discomfort caused by the author's reencounter with the city after two decades, is the guiding thread behind this works investigation, a reflection on the importance of maintaining certain urban fabrics so that our cities can grow without losing their peculiar urban atmosphere. For that, we will do a critical read of some basic doctrinal texts, especially the Venice Charter (1968), as well as international charters for the preservation of historic urban sites. In addition to that, on- site observation and investigation at the Berlin city’s archives will be the guidelines for analyzing the site growth, especially a part of the city known as the Breitscheidplatz, place to the historic Memorial church.

Title of the Event: ICOMOS SCIENTIFIC SYMPOSIUM 2024
City of the Event: Ouro Preto
Title of the Proceedings of the event: ICOMOS 2024 Scientific Symposium Proceedings
Name of the Publisher: Even3
Means of Dissemination: Meio Digital

How to cite

COSTA, Daniella Martins. HOW TO CREATE A GENERIC CITY: BERLIN AS CASE STUDY FOR THE PRESERVATION OF IDENTITY AND CHARACTER ON A CHANGING HISTORICAL CULTURAL LANDSCAPE.. In: ICOMOS 2024 Scientific Symposium Proceedings. Anais...Ouro Preto(MG) Convention Center / UFOP/ UFMG Campus, 2024. Available in: https//www.even3.com.br/anais/icomos-scientific-symposium-2024-439820/826719-HOW-TO-CREATE-A-GENERIC-CITY--BERLIN-AS-CASE-STUDY-FOR-THE-PRESERVATION-OF-IDENTITY-AND-CHARACTER-ON-A-CHANGING-H. Access in: 19/05/2026