From Riga to Berlin: What can we learn from cities?

October 22, 2017 Rihards Gederts No comments exist

Berlin is a great example of up and coming city and we found many similarities to Riga. After our team visited Berlin, we thought to ourselves: what can we learn from cities? How can cities improve our lives in this modern and fast-paced world? Nobody wants to spend rest of their lives in a shoebox next to people who they don’t know. Well, it’s not that bad if you know what you want out of your life and you have a great real estate management team in your building. It looks like Berliners know what they want out of their lives, as well as their building real estate management teams. If you connect these sides correctly, then the expected result will be: establishment of an open community in the building!

The Brandenburg Gate is an 18th-century neoclassical monument in Berlin, built on the orders of Prussian king Frederick William II – Urban Treetops

If we talk about history and grandeur, then there is no shortage of that in Berlin, Germany. The respect towards history is one of the reasons which makes this grand city an attractive place to live and do business. 

The Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church, the original church on the site was built in the 1890s || Urban Treetops

One of the most interesting public places (public square) in the inner city of Berlin, Germany is called Breitscheidplatz. It used to be a centre of former West Berlin. Nowadays, it still reminds us of World War 2, and also makes everyday life brighter for city dwellers. 

Modern city center of Berlin

The bustling streets, full of people, culture and urban vibe is what defines Berlin the best. The fast-paced environment gives many advantages to the business world and it suites well with the Berlin’s tech scene.

Now we can say that Berlin has become cool again and we can see more and more new-constructions

In recent years more and more companies, especially tech startups and creative agency are choosing Berlin as their new home. The city offers many objects, places and events from which a person can get inspiration.

The landscape of Berlin is changing fast

A very big advantage for modern city is public transportation and Berlin has done very good job with this. The public transportation system is efficient and transport costs are low compared to other European metropolises.

Berlin Alexanderplatz railway station is one of the busiest transport hubs and it’s situated in the Mitte neighborhood of Berlin’s city centre.

During the separation of Germany (East | West Germany) the Berlin Wall was built. It was a guarded concrete barrier that physically and ideologically divided Berlin from 1961 to 1989. People on both sides were the same, but when ideology and politics came into their way – the cohesive life of community stopped.

Berlin Wall graffiti art

After the Berlin Wall was built back in 1961 the Oberbaum bridge (built over River Spree) became part of East Berlin’s border with West Berlin. Such a beautiful architectural piece served as an ideological border. Thankfully, nowadays you can cross it freely with an open mind. 

Oberbaum Bridge is connecting the neighborhoods of Kreuzberg and Friedrichshain in Berlin

Berlin is developing fast, more and more people are choosing this city as their new home. Great restaurants, cheap rent and a large and young workforce that is willing to prove themselves. Is Berlin not a great place to start a new business?

Berlin Cathedral (Berliner Dom), completed in 1905

Berlin is a city with an entrepreneurial spirit and diverse culture. Urban Treetops team thinks that Berlin has many similarities to our hometown – Riga! We made a small video which depicts Berlin’s infrastructure, not the best quality but still we made it 🙂 


Fantastic architectural values

From ambitious and huge infrastructure projects to beautiful residential neighborhoods, Berlin reminds us of Riga. Architecture of residential buildings in many neighborhoods resembles the Quiet center of Riga. 

Quiet center of Riga or Berlin? Berlin!

Checkpoint Charlie was the best-known Berlin Wall crossing point between East and West Berlin during the Cold War (one of the symbols of the Cold War). Thankfully, we have no borders inside of European Union that wouldn’t allow a free movement of goods and citizens of European Union.

The border of Berlin with bricks

Grandeur and monumental feeling is what best describes Museum Island, (situated in the River Spree, the island houses five museums built between 1830 and 1930). Nowadays it’s a UNESCO World Heritage and a huge tourist attraction place.

Part of Museum Island

 


 

So what did we learn from Berlin:

  1. Diversity – the city is very diverse, it has buildings and neighborhoods from past, nowadays and future.
  2. Culture – the city has tremendous base of cultures from different parts of the world. Openness – the city is open towards all people, no matter were you came from and who you are.
  3. Effectiveness – the city has very effective and cheap transportation system. We enjoyed it!
  4. Artistic, Hipster and Business Vibe – which is manifested not only by capitalism but by the spirit of socialism as well.
  5. A place for growth – Berlin definitely is growing and it has much to offer, so the future looks bright for the city.
  6. History and Politics – you can feel that historical and political events have occurred at every turn.
  7. Community – The community of Berlin is open and friendly.

In Conclusion: We learned that by being open towards problem solving you can improve the life of your community. By doing that you can feel happy in your neighboorhood, community and your building. Be proactive!


We can help you with an advice on how to find an apartment, a home, roommates and neighborhood in Riga. You can also visit Urban Treetops Facebook page to learn more about the city of Riga! Also, we can help you with questions related to real estate management. Let’s improve Riga neighborhood together.

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