What Does the Daily Life in a City Under Lockdown Look Like: A Berlin Perspective
My home is Berlin, a city that has been undergoing significant changes since the onset of the pandemic. I took this opportunity to ride out with my e-scooter and enjoy the nice weather, capturing some snapshots of our city during lockdown. This tour took place on April 7th, 2020, at 2 PM, and it provided a fascinating glimpse into the realities of living in a city under strict social distancing measures.
Major Infrastructure and Tourist Spots
Starting at the Hauptbahnhof[1], the main train station, it feels quite deserted. Despite some trains still running, the lower floor is almost empty, which is unusual for a station that is usually bustling. This is particularly notable considering that it is Easter week, a time when one might expect the station to be less busy.
Even media outlets are reflecting the lockdown, with pervasive content on the pandemic. At Europaplatz, one employee is handling the check-in process due to the reduced number of people, while the tram, bus, subway, and train services are noticeably less used.
At Charité Mitte, a location where I usually donate blood, the situation is illustrative of the broader picture. Blood donation remains crucial even during these challenging times, yet the site is considerably less frequented.[2]
Advanced to Reichstagsgebude, the Reichstag building, its federal cabinet is more likely to hold remote meetings than traditional in-person sessions. This shift to digital has become the norm, as evidenced by the quiet state of the buildings usually packed with politicians and staff.
Visiting Pariser Platz in front of the Brandenburger Tor reveals a stark empty vista. Normally a bustling area, it is now perfect for taking photos, providing a stark contrast to the usual crowds. The Gendarmenmarkt, with its iconic French and German cathedrals and concert hall, similarly shows fewer people, enhancing the silence and the free view.
Cultural and Touristic Areas
The Sony Center at Potsdamer Platz exhibits yawning emptiness, which was once a hub of activity, especially at night. This area now has ample time for maintenance and improvements, suggesting that there is respite and potential for urban renewal.
The Tiergarten, a large public park in the center of Berlin, has been taken over by wildlife. The animals are plentiful, with more squirrels and mallards than human visitors. This scenario highlights the stark reduction in human activity and the opportunity for urban ecosystems to recover and thrive.
Even at the Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe, the guard usually busy with students jumping over the stones now finds himself with free time, as the area is empty. This quietness can be both melancholic and reflective, offering a moment of solace in the midst of crisis.
The Humboldt University, a place that usually sees a lot of student traffic, is now experiencing the lowest levels of student movement in recent history. This underscores the profound impact of the pandemic on all aspects of life, including education.
|Front of the Fernsehturm, the Television Tower, offers a unique opportunity to practice skateboard tricks with little to no traffic, making this a serene environment for such activities. On the other side, the Police Station on Alexanderplatz is now handling a much lower volume of emergency calls, providing some positive outcomes from the lockdown period.
C Closing Thoughts
The lockdown has significantly altered the landscape of Berlin. From the quiet train stations to the empty streets and parks, the city’s infrastructure and tourist spots are visibly affected. Despite the challenges, it also presents opportunities for urban renewal and the revival of local ecosystems. These snapshots provide a vivid picture of what daily life is like in a city undergoing lockdown.
Stay safe and healthy. Let’s hope we can all return to a better and more fruitful life after this crisis.