In search of the growth coalition - American urban theories and the redevelopment of Berlin

The author considers the relevance of American urban theories, particularly regime approaches, to an understanding of development politics cross-nationally. Studying recent developments in Berlin, she suggests that both political and cultural characteristics influence the nature of local coalition building. In Berlin, patterns of federal support, the nature of the state bureaucracy, and the weak organization of the private sector have all shaped the city's approach to redevelopment. In addition, architects and architectural debates have historically carried great weight in Berlin's planning culture.