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K. Kodydek, A. Psenner:
"Elements of the Gründerzeit Architecture - A comparative analysis of the Berliner and Viennese Mietshaus";
Talk: AISU Bologna 2019, Bologna; 2019-09-11 - 2019-09-14; in: "La citta globale. La condizione urbana come fenomeno pervasivo / The global city. The urban condition as a pervasive phenomenon", (2019).

During Historism, urbanization led to a vast growth. By 1910, Berlin´s population grew to 2.5 million inhabitants, making it the fourth biggest city in the world. Closely followed by Vienna, which was the sixth largest city with a total population of 1.7 million people.
The question therefore arises, what parameters shaped the growth of both cities and in what way did urban planning respond to the given conditions?
Urban planning produced alike structural elements delivering a similar picture in both cities. Yet, some preconditions led to a different outcome. James Hobrecht, responsible for the later called Hobrechtplan, was able to implement street profiles based on the British model ranging from 11 to 15 (connecting roads) meters up to 49 to 57 meters (Boulevards). Unlike Berlin, Vienna faced topographical challenges with the unregulated Danube River in the East and the Vienna Woods in the West. This led to overall smaller street profiles varying from 9 up to 18 meters, but in a consequence also to a more compact city.
While some parameters are rather obvious, like the above-mentioned street profiles that differ gravely, other parameters lie more hidden and need further investigation, especially those that shaped the Berliner Mietshaus. Basic data of about 50 houses allows a precise study of the Berliner Mietshaus and reveal relevant information on micro structural elements, such as the vertical and horizontal developments. In a typical Berliner Mietshaus one finds vertical developments accessing two to three apartments per floor. This stands in contrast to the Viennese approach using only one vertical development accessing all apartments of the floor. What concrete goals were pursued in formulating the floor plans? Which design principles were applied for the development?
The paper will focus on a comparative analysis of the two cities and elaborate on the urban development of the cities delivering insights on the city level zooming in to the micro level of the neighborhood. What challenges did both cities face and how did they overcome those?

Hobrechtsplan; urban planning research; Berlin

https://publik.tuwien.ac.at/files/publik_281457.pdf