Berlin: Europe's least capitalist capital

Berlin, once a booming industrial city, lost its economic power after WWII and the Cold War division. Post-reunification, it became a haven for artists, squatters, and counterculture due to cheap housing and abandoned spaces. Attempts to revive it as a business hub largely failed, but tourism and creativity flourished. The slogan “poor but sexy” captured its appeal in the 2000s. In the 2010s, investment and startups surged, but gentrification pushed out the very communities that made Berlin unique. Today, Berlin faces the challenge of balancing growth with preserving its cultural uniqueness. 

For more on this series, follow this link