I am still not too sure what to make of this inscription. On the one hand, I support it, these new housing estates were a key feature in redefining low-income/ social housing which has had a massive effect on peoples lives across the world. In counterbalance to this is the fact that they just weren’t that interesting when I paid them a visit. I know that this is a very subjective thing and preserving Heritage shouldn’t rely on just enjoyment, but the estate I visited just didn’t have the fission of visiting other sites with a similar background (Bauhaus, Mies’ Lake Shore Drive Apartments and the early Skyscrapers in Chicago).

Admittedly I did only visit 1 and spied another from the S-Bahn, perhaps had I spent more time going to some of the other Estates I could give a more glowing recommendation but the time I spent in them did not encourage me to forego Berlin’s numerous other attractions.

I managed to visit Wohnstadt Carl Legien on a cold Saturday morning in November 2007, needless to say I was the only ‘tourist’ here, and the residents were looking some what bemusingly at the guy taking endless photos of the blocks of flats. It was a reasonably rewarding visit for me, mostly as I have an interest in the architecture of this period. The blocks were well planned and spacious and there was a good use of colour (they have recently been restored). But on the whole they felt very familiar and nothing really that outstanding.

I suppose though this is their real value, these were pioneers of so much that effects every day life for millions across the world. That they seem unique is a testament to their success.

The Berlin into which they were built was one of the leading centres of liberal thought and activity, being at the centre of artistic and social progression. This was a great time of change in German and European history before the sudden change of direction that came in the 1930’s. The Berlin of today is once again a progressive and libertarian city with much to merit a visit. The area of Prenzlaur Berg where this particular estate can be found was a real delight to wander around and do some shopping and drinking.

Probably the Britz estate would be the most rewarding to visit as this one has a slightly more distinctive character, however the estates are spread out across Berlin, none particularly close to a major attraction though. The earliest Gardenstadt Falkenburg is located next to the S-Bahn track one stop on from Schönefeld airport so you could in theory visit if you had a slight gap in connecting flights there.

All in all these are pretty important testimonies not only to a change in living conditions for the less privileged but also a lasting testament to a progressive society which unfortunately was very short lived. They may not be the most exciting places to visit but their familiarity to many can be viewed as a sign of their success.