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Mr Gorbachev, tear down this wallAngela LeongM13608Wowereit_______________VDONT

Another hand-written note on the wall read: "Mr. Wowereit, don't tear down this wall." It was an appeal to Berlin Mayor Klaus Wowereit a reference to a 1987 speech made by the then-U.S. President Ronald Reagan in which he urged the Soviet leader: "Mr Gorbachev, tear down this wall."

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BackgroundFranz Schulz, mayor of the eastern Berlin district Friedrichshain, confirmed rumours that a section of the Berlin Wall would be demolished to facilitate construction of a block of luxury flats.

About 300 protestors turned up at the Wall, forcing workers to abandon demolition.

Thousands of demonstrators turned up, including 6000 on Sunday.Feb 26 (Tue)Mar 1 (Fri)Mar 2 (Sat)Mar 3 (Sun)

BackgroundSegment in question is the East Side Gallery, the longest remaining stretch of the Berlin WallSlated removal of 22 metres (i.e. 19 slabs, each 4 feet) of the Wall, by developer Living BauhausSections would be relocated to a riverside park behind the East Side Gallery

BackgroundSpree River1.3 km

Living Levels14 storey, 63 m high36 private flats2,750 10,000/m2

BrommybruckeLinked with MuhlenstraeConnect Kreuzberg and Friedrichshain for cyclists and pedestriansWork is expected to begin in 2015 on the new "Brommybrcke," which will connect Kreuzberg and Friedrichshain for cyclists and pedestrians. It will be built on the site of an old vehicle bridge of the same name which was destroyed by bombing in 1945.

Tearing down part of the Wall, Schulz told the paper, is the only "way to link the planned Brommy bridge over the Spree with Mhlenstrae."

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BackgroundMr. Maik Uwe Hinkel of Living Bauhaus has agreed to cease demolition until a meeting with the city council and other relevant players on March 18.To date, more than 74 000 people have signed a petition at www.change.org/eastsidegallery.

Legacy left by older generation who fought for their rightsEast Side Gallery is under monument protectionHistorically important artworkEnduring symbol for younger generationIdentify with suffering of parents and grandparentsIcon of communism, of a divided nationReminder of a painful past so future leaders do not errAs a mark of respect to the dead, developments should not be built on the death strip.Reasons againstHistorical SignificanceSymbolism of the Berlin WallIt is the only thing the younger generation has to connect them with the life of the older generationsQuestioning the use of the Berlin Wall is like questioning the purpose of history6

History is ingrained into culture.As a heritage site, the Berlin Wall is something Germans, and in particular Berliners, can identify withQuestions the worth of the German/Berlin cultureEast Side Gallery is a world-renowned open air gallery.Culturally significant artwork~106 murals from ~60 international artists worldwieArtists were not informed of the removal of their work Reasons againstPreservation of CultureHistory is a part of culture. Physical manifestation of national/cultural identityWhat does it show about the value of the German/Berlin culture if it can be so easily brings into question what constitutes this culture7

Recently restored for more than 2 millionEast Side Gallery is the second biggest tourist attract in Berlin.1000 visitors a day, 800k to 1 mil annually10,000 people walk along the death strip every dayGolden Goose scenarioBulk of revenue from condominium will go to the developer, not the cityEconomic loss in the long term from loss of tourismReasons againstEconomically UnwiseSo I guess it explains the europe debt crisisAfter Brandenburg GateCultural loss cannot be replacedPrivitizationGreater economic loss from loss of tourism, repair8

Reasons forMove on lest one becomes quagmired in historyJapan vs GermanyThe worth of the Berlin Wall/East Side Gallery as a historical/cultural symbol?Inglorious chapter of Germanys pastArt on East Side was added after the fall of the WallIs there a need for a physical monument? If so what does it show about the value Germans ascribe to history?Let Go of HistoryShould history stand in the way of development?There arises a question of how much we should hold on to history before it becomes clinging on to history no good to dwell on the past and become fixated on historyJapan vs GermanyCA: hypocritical that they used the example of footbridge isnt that holding on to the past then? Shouldnt the berlin wall be of greater historical value than a mere *foot*bridge9

Reasons forWall was traditionally a symbol of communism.Germans went from championing its fall to advocating its preservation.Wall is being demolished to reconstruct a footbridge destroyed during WW2.Inherent HypocrisyThere arises a question of how much we should hold on to history before it becomes clinging on to history no good to dwell on the past and become fixated on historyJapan vs GermanyCA: hypocritical that they used the example of footbridge isnt that holding on to the past then? Shouldnt the berlin wall be of greater historical value than a mere *foot*bridge10

Reasons forRedevelop and revitalise BerlinFirst step in the district governments plan to redevelop the death stripPromote riverside living a trait of global citiesEconomic revitalisationStimulate economy of regionAid in alleviating Euro debt crisis

GentrificationThere arises a question of how much we should hold on to history before it becomes clinging on to history no good to dwell on the past and become fixated on historyJapan vs GermanyCA: hypocritical that they used the example of footbridge isnt that holding on to the past then? Shouldnt the berlin wall be of greater historical value than a mere *foot*bridge11

Reasons forMany parts of the original Berlin Wall have already been demolished and/or relocated all around the world.What makes this any different?Only a short section will be removedRemoved segments will not be destroyed but instead relocated to within a stones throw away from the East Side Gallery

Berlin Wall TodayThere arises a question of how much we should hold on to history before it becomes clinging on to history no good to dwell on the past and become fixated on historyJapan vs GermanyCA: hypocritical that they used the example of footbridge isnt that holding on to the past then? Shouldnt the berlin wall be of greater historical value than a mere *foot*bridge12

History is not standing in way of development in this case more a matter of poor planningEmbrace history, ugly or otherwise, because it offers us lessons in either caseUrban renewal can occur in tandem with preservation of historyIs a historical monument the same after you translocate a part of it?

My StandDo Not DemolishCannot compare to wartime crimeArtists perspectives of historyPeople have already raised their voicesI am no economist, butYou may argue that its only one segment, but this speaks volumes of things to come13

SignificanceIllustrates changing symbolism of the Berlin Wall No longer seen as a symbol of communismPeoples perception of history can, and will, evolve.Highlights what the Wall means to Berliners, when stacked up against development and commercialisation.Will decide future policies in the gentrification of the cityHistory is not set in stoneThere arises a question of how much we should hold on to history before it becomes clinging on to history no good to dwell on the past and become fixated on historyJapan vs GermanyCA: hypocritical that they used the example of footbridge isnt that holding on to the past then? Shouldnt the berlin wall be of greater historical value than a mere *foot*bridge14SignificanceIn 2008, a 50-metre section of the Wall was removed to provide access to a boat landing area for the O2 World, a multipurpose indoor arena. Berlin has long stood as an island of low rents and abundant space, making it home to a thriving counterculture unable to persist in more expensive international cities. Wall Street Journal

There arises a question of how much we should hold on to history before it becomes clinging on to history no good to dwell on the past and become fixated on historyJapan vs GermanyCA: hypocritical that they used the example of footbridge isnt that holding on to the past then? Shouldnt the berlin wall be of greater historical value than a mere *foot*bridge15

SignificanceO2 was built arguably for the public, while the luxury flats cater to only a privileged minority.Real controversy: City government is allowing private real estate development on the death strip and in a public riverside parkWhat is the real protest?There arises a question of how much we should hold on to history before it becomes clinging on to history no good to dwell on the past and become fixated on historyJapan vs GermanyCA: hypocritical that they used the example of footbridge isnt that holding on to the past then? Shouldnt the berlin wall be of greater historical value than a mere *foot*bridge16

SignificancePrivatisation of land that is part of a peoples shared historyHow should spaces and structures with historical/cultural significance be used?Underlying issuesThere arises a question of how much we should hold on to history before it becomes clinging on to history no good to dwell on the past and become fixated on historyJapan vs GermanyCA: hypocritical that they used the example of footbridge isnt that holding on to the past then? Shouldnt the berlin wall be of greater historical value than a mere *foot*bridge17

SignificanceDifferent historical and socioeconomic settingsYoung nation with less polarising and controversial pieces of historyLand scarcityDevelopment for the country not corporationsGovernments attitude towards preserving heritage sitesIn the context of SingaporeThere arises a question of how much we should hold on to history before it becomes clinging on to history no good to dwell on the past and become fixated on historyJapan vs GermanyCA: hypocritical that they used the example of footbridge isnt that holding on to the past then? Shouldnt the berlin wall be of greater historical value than a mere *foot*bridge18

Mayor Wowereit has proposed a compromise: removed segments will be returned to the wall after construction, and existing O2 gap widened.Mr. Hinkel will share a driveway with an anonymous Israeli investor. Only temporary solutionsSolutionsUpdatesCannot compare to wartime crimeArtists perspectives of historyPeople have already raised their voicesI am no economist, butYou may argue that its only one segment, but this speaks volumes of things to come19

Consult and notify the public before reconstruction of national monumentStricter, clearer guidelines and organisation structuresRiverside living and gentrification need not be driven by privatisation of landAlfresco dining, riverside recreational places, nature spaces for the publicPeople-driven, rather than profit-driven approach

SolutionsSingapore as a ModelCannot compare to wartime crimeArtists perspectives of historyPeople have already raised their voicesI am no economist, butYou may argue that its only one segment, but this speaks volumes of things to come20

The strong reactions over [] the Railway Line and Bukit Brown suggest that Singaporeans have a growing need for visible and palpable connections to a shared past.A society that places no visible value on continuity will create future generations who are adrift on market forces rather than one anchored by a shared nationhood to country and fellow countrymen.Singapore: Home or hotel? The Straits Times, March 4 2013

White PaperSolutionsLessons for SingaporeCannot compare to wartime crimeArtists perspectives of historyPeople have already raised their voicesI am no economist, butYou may argue that its only one segment, but this speaks volumes of things to come21

Referenceshttp://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424127887324178904578338390335160404.html?mod=googlenews_wsjhttp://www.nytimes.com/2013/03/05/world/europe/protesters-want-last-of-berlin-wall-to-stand.html?_r=0http://www.independent.ie/world-news/protest-at-berlin-wall-29106507.htmlhttp://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424127887324662404578334120573753126.html http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5iDJ9q60o-KhmE0sQedU7yqnW44tQ?docId=68104b36ee0740828e7ee17acd6e64f6http://www.jsonline.com/business/national/removal-of-berlin-wall-section-put-on-holdc3046c55145448c982fbb66793a0b778-194788351.htmlhttp://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-21629543http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/afp_world/view/1257699/1/.htmlhttp://www.cbc.ca/news/world/story/2013/03/03/pauls-berlin-wall-protest.htmlhttp://www.thelocal.de/society/20130305-48323.html#.UTycs9Z0y8chttp://www.thelocal.de/society/20130226-48197.html#.UTyqrdZ0y8chttp://www.ms-versenken.org/http://www.change.org/de/Petitionen/herr-wowereit-east-side-gallery-retten-keine-luxuswohnbebauung-auf-dem-ehemaligen-todesstreifenhttp://www.bostonglobe.com/editorials/2013/03/13/the-remnants-berlin-wall-should-preserved/i1LIomfiCzzdBOzV5pawTO/story.html http://www.thereporteronline.com/article/20130312/OPINION03/130319839/rescuing-remnants-of-the-hated-berlin-wall#full_story http://land8.com/profiles/blogs/a-vision-for-the-berlin-wall http://www.cntraveler.com/daily-traveler/2013/03/berlin-wall-protests-east-side-gallery-removal http://www.planetizen.com/node/58381http://www.exberliner.com/blogs/the-blog/seymour-gris-deathstrip-living/

Thank you :)Q & A