The World Heritage Committee, in its meeting for its 32nd session on 8 July, 2008 in Quebec, Canada, added the 6 Berlin Modernism Housing Estates, Germany as new sites on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Berlin Modernism Housing Estates, Germany has some ancient housing estates that the UNESCO wanted to protect as sites of the Modernism.
The Berlin housing estates stand out internationally not only because of their great importance, but also because of their good state of preservation. The 6 housing estates were built between the years 1913 and 1934. Architects of Classical Modernism responded to the lack of housing after the First World War by building modern, affordable flats with kitchens, bathrooms and balconies.
The houses are without backyards or side wings, and instead provide light, air and sun to the residents. This high-quality architecture, the lovely shapes, floor plans of the flats and urban-style design of the estates has become a role model for the entire 20th century.
Planning and construction of the Berlin Modernism Housing Estates, Germany marked a structural change in the style of housing, because of the special political and social conditions during the years following the First World War. The estates represented a new architecture for a new society.
Trade unions, cooperative and municipal building companies became the main supporters of this Berlin Modernism Housing Estates in Germany. Once again, these housing estates are used as a role model to build houses as per the contemporary requirements for fittings and convenience. The Berlin Modernism Housing Estates, Germany is thus one of the major cultural and natural heritage sites in the world.