Unter den Linden's Unloved Transformation
Take a stroll down Berlin's Unter den Linden, and you'll notice something amiss—the absence of lime trees. Instead, you'll find bright orange garbage cans, thanks to the district office's makeshift solution.
Back in 2012, a construction project forced the felling of 54 lime trees along this prestigious street. The plan was to replant these trees when construction wrapped up. But, as of now, 13 years later, not a single new tree has popped up in their place. The reason? Well, it's a complicated tale.
In 2020, Berlin's Senator for the Environment started planning to "upgrade the central promenade" of Unter den Linden. The aim was to improve the area's aesthetics and safety. However, this process—which includes discussions, tendering for the best design, and a public debate—has dragged on. It's expected to delay the planting of new lime trees by at least two more years.
However, one might ask, why not plant trees on the sidewalks? After all, the construction work affected only the central reservation, not the sidewalks. But, Berlin's motto seems to be: "Why make it easy when you can make it complicated!" As a result, Berliners and visitors will continue to see garbage cans instead of lime trees on this famous street.
Now, you might wonder, why are urban forestry projects often delayed? It could be due to a variety of factors, including financial constraints, regulatory constraints, planning and coordination complexities, resource allocation issues, and community engagement challenges.
So, until the end of 2024, or maybe even later, Unter den Linden will continue its unlovely transformation, with charismatic garbage cans in the place of lime trees. Berliners and visitors will have to make do and appreciate the city's resilience in the face of such environmental changes.
Call Gunnar Schupelius at 030/2591 73153 or email him at [email protected] for more information.
Sources:
*Enrichment Insights: Delays in urban forestry projects can be due to various factors, including funding issues, regulatory compliance, planning and coordination complexities, resource allocation problems, and community engagement challenges.
