Berlin Case Study - Cities Institute

Berlin is also a well-educated city. In 2005, 141,010
students were enrolled at 21 universities and colleges
(including 5,157 enrolled at cultural institutions
for higher education). A further 56,787 Berliners
were in vocational training and 15,578 adults were
enrolled in adult education (Statistisches Landesamt
Berlin, 2005). Approximately 19,880 international
students were enrolled at Berlin’s Universities in
2003. (Sen WiArFrai, 2004). No information was
available that explains why Berlin is attractive for
international students. Free Higher Education is
assumed to be one factor. While fees have already
been implemented elsewhere in Germany (e.g.
NRW), Berlin is unlikely to implement fees soon, as it
has just formalised financial arrangements between
Senate and universities from 2006 until 2009
(Hochschulrahmenvertrag 2006–2009). Nevertheless,
the fiscal situation puts the Senate under pressure
to implement changes in the long run. Another
reason is said to be the high reputation of Berlin’s
universities (e.g. Humboldt University) and the wide
range of courses offered in the City Region (Sen
WiFoKu, 2006).
A majority, 86.6% of Berliners, hold German
citizenship (Statistisches Landesamt Berlin, 2005).
Over 450,000 foreign citizens live in Berlin (December
2005), including 115,300 from Europe, 118,700 Turkey,
17,400 Africa, 22,700 North/South America, and
66,400 from Asia. Over 6,500 foreign citizens – 4,132
European and 2,536 Turkish citizens – became
German citizens in 2004.
Berlin is perceived as an open minded city: whatever
opinion or lifestyle people choose to have, Berlin is –
despite its proverbial gruffness, a tolerant city hosting/
partying on annual events such as Christopher Street
Day, Carnival of the Cultures, Fete la de Musique
and the Love Parade (to be relaunched in 2006).
Launched by a local DJ in 1989, in 1990 2,000 people
came to dance in the streets, two years later 50,000,
and by 1995 there were 300,000. By then the route
was changed to accommodate what by 1999 were 1.4
million people and over 50 floats. The Berlin Senate
organises a host of sponsored cultural events around
the parade – art shows, operas, clubs, films. The city
sees this event as a draw for youth culture with the
hope that the visitor (average age is 21) will like it so
much that they will come back. The event enjoyed
political demonstration status which allowed the
city to pay for clean-up (over £100,000). Although a
largely ‘free’ event, 800,000 spend on average £69.
Berlin is also a secure city. The total
number of crimes recorded declined
from 594,393 in 1996 to 539,667
in 2004.
Berliners are also open to new technologies. Berlin is
Germany’s number one online state with two thirds
of Berliners registered as internet users (N)online
Atlas 2005). Berlin is also a diverse and divided city,
reflected in different district profiles:
Table 4. Demographic data for selected Berlin boroughs
Highest Lowest Berlin Total
Age Group 15–65 %
Number of inhabitants
Foreign nationals %
Average income per
household
Friedrichshain-Kreuzberg
77.1%
Pankow
350,500
Mitte
27.7%
Steglitz-Zehlendorf
€1800
Lichtenberg
50.4%
Spandau
225,700
Treptow-Koepenick
3.4%
Friedrichshain-Kreuzberg
€1200
51.2%
3.4 million
13.4%
€1475
Source: StaLaBerlin (2005)
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Berlin Case Study/part one