Ten-Year Battle Against Repression in Berlin-Kreuzberg's Bizim Kiez
Bizim Kiez: A Berlin Neighborhood's Fight Against Displacement
In the heart of Kreuzberg, Berlin, a community initiative named Bizim Kiez rose to prominence in response to the city's rapid gentrification. Founded around the early 2010s, Bizim Kiez, meaning "Our Neighborhood" in Turkish, was born out of the need to protect affordable housing, prevent evictions, and preserve the district's cultural diversity.
The movement gained significant traction in Summer 2015 when residents gathered to protest the planned closure of a symbolic grocery store called Bizim Bakkal. Thousands joined the protests, which attracted national and even international media attention, including a report from a U.S. newspaper. The movement evolved into Bizim Kiez, with Philipp Vergin, an early protester and current member, stating that the protests turned into a movement.
One of the most notable actions taken by Bizim Kiez was the organization of tenant unions and the provision of legal and social support to individuals facing eviction. They also led public campaigns and protests aimed at influencing housing policy in Berlin, emphasizing tenants' rights and social housing preservation. Collaborating with other local groups and activists, they pushed for rent control measures and fought against speculative property practices.
In April 2019, tenants attempted to occupy a vacant space following a demonstration, but the police violently evacuated them, injuring several people and charging them with trespassing. Despite these challenges, Bizim Kiez continues to be active in Kreuzberg, a historically diverse and vibrant area now heavily targeted by real estate speculation.
Currently, Bizim Kiez continues working actively, resisting displacement and maintaining affordable housing options through advocacy, direct action, and community organizing. They also engage with city politics to promote tenant protections and combat gentrification.
One of their current campaigns is against the planned fencing of Görlitzer Park by the Senate, with Vergin stating that the fencing will lead to the displacement of problems into neighbourhoods and the theft of public space.
Bizim Kiez remains a key actor in Kreuzberg’s housing justice movement, committed to fighting displacement and preserving the neighbourhood's social fabric. For the latest specific activities or developments, one would normally refer to their official communications or recent local news.
- Bizim Kiez, in their efforts to protect Kreuzberg's cultural diversity and affordable housing, extends their reach beyond housing policy, addressing issues such as home-and-garden topics like the planned fencing of Görlitzer Park to preserve public space and the neighborhood's social fabric.
- In their struggle against displacement in Kreuzberg, Bizim Kiez promotes a lifestyle that values community, organizational support for tenants facing eviction, and advocacy for tenant protections, fostering a neighborhood that reflects diversity and affordability, thus preserving the essence of home-and-garden living.
