Since moving to Berlin I’ve become witness to many rapid changes around the neighborhoods. There was quite the shocking exodus, for example, from Kreuzberg to Neukölln. The area around Tempelhofer Feld has been affected immensely.

New bars and burger shops and Spätis are squeezing in between old residents and empty commercial space. Locals are naturally afraid of these changes. After all, what happens when you start to feel alienated in your own home?

Gentrification is a touchy subject for everyone involved. In the Schillerkiez, the area specifically targeted by rising rents and new, hip businesses, people are defending themselves by throwing color bombs and leaving graffiti messages. It remains to be seen if this has any lasting consequences. Spoiler alert: It won’t.