„Let’s Build Berlin“
Creating a meaningful link between Nördliche Luisenstadt and Klosterviertel in Berlin’s historic centre.
The international community of the computer game “Cities: Skylines” was asked to come up with a design for the area around the Märkisches Museum.
Together with the computer game publisher Paradox Interactive, the Stadtmuseum Berlin launched the “Let’s Build Berlin” contest in 2021, aimed at the international community of the computer game “Cities: Skylines”. Prizes were awarded for the most surprising and imaginative designs.
The main prize in the “New Waisenbrücke” category was won by the participant “Essad”, whose real name is Robert and who lives in southern Sweden. The jury was won over by his design of a tree-lined bridge for pedestrian and bicycle traffic, featuring a protected lower level for cyclists and clever integration of the cycle paths into the existing road network.
A video of the winning design
“Essad” reimagined the area around the Märkisches Museum – with lots of greenery and as a car-free zone.
The winner of the main prize received prize money of 1,000 euros, while the winner of the category “Area surrounding the Waisenbrücke” won 500 euros. The runners-up in both categories also received prize money and attractive non-cash prizes.
Area surrounding the Waisenbrücke
IDEAS FROM THE WINNING DESIGN
The jury awarded the prize to “Sully”, whose design includes a tram line over the bridge leading to Berlin’s Central Station. The design also envisions a market square in front of the Märkisches Museum.
The most imaginative and surprising designs were awarded prizes by an eleven-member jury composed of representatives from politics, culture, urban planning and the gaming community.
Jury members:
Andreas Bachmann (Koordinationsbüro für Stadtentwicklung und Projektmanagement, KoSP GmbH)
Dr Nele Güntheroth (Programme Curator’s team at Stadtmuseum Berlin)
Volker Hobrack (Betroffenenvertretung for the Nördliche Luisenstadt redevelopment area)
Dr-Ing Stefan Lehmkühler (Changing Cities e. V.)
Prof Wolfgang Maennig (Berlin – Brandenburgische Schifffahrtsgesellschaft e. V.)
Dr Ute Müller-Tischler (Head of the Art, Culture and History Department at the Mitte District Office of Berlin)
Bettina Quäschning (Head of Destination Development at visitBerlin)
Manfred Rettig (Chairman of the Verein der Freunde und Förderer des Stadtmuseums Berlin e. V.)
Prof Dr Mike Schlaich (Professor at the Technische Universität Berlin, Institut für Bauingenieurwesen)
Robert Vasile alias “Skibitth” (gaming community)
Jonathan Whitley (Paradox Interactive)
Restream
The award ceremony was held on 14th May 2021 and was broadcast via live stream.