My Proposal for a Pedestrian Crossing in Front of Nordbanhof Berlin
December 17, 2011 around midnight.
Respected neighbours / dear all,
After 6 years living in this neighbourhood and particularly in the past few months I feel threatened when crossing at this frequented, dark and unauthorized pedestrian crossing in front of Nordbahnhof.
Hundreds of millions of Euros have been invested in lofts, business offices and parks that are being built in this heavily gentrified neighbourhood, but the small sum needed for the safety of crossing the road at this location seems not even to have been considered. I ask myself why?
Maybe just an initiative is missing? Or maybe someone in local government and city planning thinks that there is no need to walk and cross the street in a neighborhood where Mercedes & Lamborghinis are being driven.. ?! I wonder – isn’t the need for a proper and safe pedestrian crossing obvious on a street where we have tree tramlines, two S-Bahn lines and two bus lines? Or maybe it’s just a matter of time?! Possibly we who are being squeezed by the gentrification processes are not going to be here in few years to witness it, when all gets fixed and only rich can afford to live here..
I have lived in and contributed to this neighbourhood in Berlin Mitte for 6 years but I have neither access to citizen’s rights, nor the right to vote in local elections. I therefore made this unauthorized midnight “Proposal for a Pedestrian Crossing in Front of Nordbanhof”. I hope that some among you see the necessity for this crossing and are in a position to ask authorities to build one now. I would be grateful for any feedback and support in this matter.
Yours truly,
Tanja Ostojic
The “Proposal” was made possible with the support of Lisa S., Simon Vincent and David X.
Photo: visionfingers
