Our Berlin District
Reuter district lies on the north-eastern boundary of Berlin Neukölln, and borders on Kreuzberg to the north and the west. Our district is named after the author, Fritz Reuter, whose novels popularised “plattdeutsch”, the north German regional dialect. Reuter district has distinct boundaries on three sides – Kottbusser Damm, Sonnenallee and Maybachufer. Original architecture with front buildings, side and rear wings are typical of the houses in the west of the district. Today, this is a multicultural city district. Economic and social deprivation is high, but the area has also many positive sides and huge potential.
Problem Area with Potential
Reuter district tends to have a negative image and the public focus is mainly on the district’s problems: unemployment, poverty and residential buildings that have fallen into disrepair. That’s where projects initiated by the district management team can make a difference. We focus on the positive sides of the district’s attractive, city-central location and excellent transport links. Young people are attracted to this district by the relatively low living and rental costs and well-equipped apartments. The Kiez has also a wide variety of retail stores and, in connection with its famous market at Maybachufer, which is known all around Germany, this area has huge potential.
Facts and figures
Location: Neukölln District, Berlin
Area: approx. 70 hectares
Residents: 18,459
Commercial enterprises: approx. 350
Migrants: 30.5%
Age groups: 16.2% up to 18 years; 68% between 18 to 45 years
Social infrastructure: 2 elementary schools, 2 secondary schools, 1 youth centre, 6 nursery schools, numerous parent-run day-care centres, 1 sports ground
Unemployed: approx. 35%
Voter participation: 55.3% (Constituency 104 – Berlin average 77.6%, elections for 15th German Bundestag in 2002)
History and architecture
Reuter district was originally an area of marshland and wetland meadows. Due to ideal transport links to the shipping canal and link road to Berlin, the first commercial enterprises were already established in the mid-19th century on today’s Maybachufer. The first residential and commercial properties were built at and alongside Kottbusser Damm. From 1871 to 1905, the number of residents rose from approx. 8,000 to about 153,000. During this period, the distinctive old buildings were established in this Berlin district. Factories in rear courtyards and commercial sites are reminiscent of the old-time commercial district.