Because of historical reasons, we can see a gap between Paris, London and Berlin. Indeed, because of
the soviet domination, the city has been unified in 1989, and until today discordance between western
and Eastern Berlin can be notified. The city suffers of a large debt and also a strong unemployment
rate.(40)
Berlin is a city-state representing one of the sixteen German “Lander”. The city represents 896 Km²,
with 3,4 million inhabitants. The city is governed by an institution named “Gross Berlin” which
obtained its legal status in 1920 (Gross Berlin Act).
Figure 4: Administrative map of Gross Berlin (41)
Klaus Wowereit, actual mayor-governor of Berlin is elected by deputies of Berlin. Gross Berlin Act
gives him a power on the urban development of the city, the economic decisions, the cultural actions,
security, work issues, teaching area). As in London, all the decisions are centralized to the central
power of Berlin(42).
The transports are managed by the city council of Berlin: Verkehrsverbund (VBB) which ensures the
public transports in the German capital. VBB is in charge of fares and operation of the transports.
The institution in charge of the development economic is named “Berlin Partner” and has the objective
to work on the territorial marketing, to attract foreign Direct Investment. Berlin Partner is financed by
the city and 160 companies(43).
As we have already seen, the Gross Berlin is not competitive yet regarding Paris and London
infrastructures. Nevertheless the city is growing fast, and its good localization between western and
Eastern Europe makes Berlin a strategic place to be.
Also the fact to be the political capital of Germany (richest country of Europe), gives even more
importance to the city. Its legal structure (Gross Berlin Act), is still nowadays a great organization in
order to move fast. As in London most of the decisions are centralized for the entire region, which
gives the possibility to adapt a global strategy easily.
This centralized power for the entire region is crucial. Berlin and London have much more advantages
regarding this issue than Paris which is divided between every small suburban town. Paris has to be
more adapted to the current global economy, with the capacity to change fast, which is the principal
lack of the French capital regarding its two best European rivals.
40 Sénat, « Grand Paris : Un vrai projet pour un enjeu capital», 2011
http://www.senat.fr/rap/r07-262/r07-26244.html
41 Map of Berlin,
http://geneve-alger.tumblr.com/post/553322609/27-april-1920-gro-berlin-gesetz-verabschiedet
42 Sénat, « Grand Paris : Un vrai projet pour un enjeu capital», 2011
http://www.senat.fr/rap/r07-262/r07-26244.html
43 Ibid, 2011.
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