Berlin: Abschied von einer geteilten Stadt?

Numerous processes of restructuring have taken place in many areas of life in Berlin during the past years which have lead to an alignment of life circumstances. However, the 50 years of political division have left their mark on the city and its inhabitants. Before reunification, there were social barriers for the inhabitants of the city with regard to the appropriation of the other part of the city. The borders were removed in the city after reunification and an uniform administrative system was established. The main goal was the alignment of living circumstances, including the reconnection of the road grids, the creation of a uniform school and health system and the restructuring of universities. Reunification brought changes to the lives of the inhabitants of East and West Berlin. Social differences wi thin the city increased, and the places for inhabitants could move freely grew as well. Commuting is effected by a severe reduction in jobs in East Berlin and the neighbouring state of Brandenburg, the different qualification structures of job hunters and also the diversity of the wage structures in West Berlin on the one hand and East Berlin and the state of Brandenburg on the other. The main flow of commuters in the city is from East to West. There is a low level of mobility as regards moving from one part of the city to the other. There are more intensive links between neighbouring city boroughs. The purchasing behaviour of the population of East Berlin was characte rised after reunification by a considerable surplus demand which resulted in an orientation towards West Berlin. New retail trade outlets around Berlin and the increase in individual mobility changed the purchasing behaviour of the inhabitants of the entire city. A large part of the population went to the new locations outside of Berlin. Since the construction of borough centres started in 1996, we have observed especially in East Berlin that the inhabitants are returning to these borough centres