East Germany's Transformation

[AcadieLibre]

East Germany's Transformation (http://www.spiegel.de/fotostrecke/fotostrecke-59943.html), I just like how this was done so just sharing.

[Matt K.]

Thanks for bringing this to our attention. Have to say, though, some of the "before" images have way more impact than the "after" ones. In some respect it is a shame that things get so drastically altered. I find some of the characteristics have disappeared. Maybe just me. I was born and raised in Heidelberg; granted, not the former East Germany, but a lot of the old downtown with its historical buildings have gotten a face lift as well, but they still represent what was there before. I dunno, I like old stuff, even if it is dilapidated.

[AcadieLibre]

I think they went to far with this stucco look on many of the buildings. The only problem with leaving buildings dilapidated is they eventually just fall apart and usually torn down so I would hope they would stick to the original look I know it is always not possible.

[Andrew]

I wish I was young enough to do a similar project on Havanna. A great city architecturally, it is lying in varying stages of disrepair and ruin. You can see some remodeling/rebuilding with money from Canada and other Spanish speaking countries but until the US lifts their sanctions and big gobs of money get spent there it will be a slow process. Cuba needs to nationalize all their land, put an end to their internal corruption and open the country up for leases. If the present building styles were rebuilt it would be a wonderful thing to see refreshed.