Uploaded on 2015-06-15 by johanneslimu

Invisible information concerns the question why the empty lot and the old building behind it in the centre of the image have not been developed into housing units. Given the current situation of housing prices in Berlin, and the proximity of this site to the city centre, this should be a profitable enterprise for the owner. A second aspect of invisible information concerns the role of the grafiti images on the building walls left and right to the empty lot. Berlin has been famous for its grafiti art scene for a number of years, but in addition to making the city more liveable and interesting for the inhabitants, this has also been used by the city's marketing campaign, attracted many tourists and lead to a rise in housing prices next to famous grafiti paintings. While this does increase the wealth of the city, it also amplifies the problem of gentrification, meaning that many people who have lived in an area are forced to move further towards the outskirts, since housing prices rise with increased demand for housing in an area. Some areas are changing their atmosphere with the influx of wealthier inhabitants. For example, some of the grafiti artists themselves may be unable to afford to live anywhere near their paintings any more. The whole complex of gentrification is probably the most controversial public debate concerning Berlin's city development. To transform information about these questions into knowledge, I think it would be an interesting approach to make public more of the information concerning, for example, the owner of the property, their plans for the lot, their likely impact on the neighbourhood etc. This would probably enable civil society to participate more and better in the development of their urban environment. ![Berlin, Corner Torstraße - Friedrichstraße][1] ![Berlin, Friedrichstraße - Torstraße][2] [1]: http:// [2]: https://edxuploads.s3.amazonaws.com/14343717749647219.jpg