In the early 1980s, residents of Berlin-Kreuzberg defended themselves against the city's policy of demolition and new construction under the slogan »It's better to squat than to own.« After appeals against the prevailing redevelopment practice to the state housing office were unsuccessful, students occupied the first houses. Evictions by the police led to a heated climate that erupted into street fights. However, many squatters were interested in a peaceful settlement and through their practice contributed to a comprehensive preservation of the building fabric, which in many cases led to legalisations. Some successful squats still exist today, such as the Regenbogenfabrik cultural and neighbourhood centre. During the IBA Berlin in 1984, the »repair of the city« was elevated to a guiding urban principle. Making the existing housing stock usable again marked a move away from land redevelopment through new buildings towards cautious urban renewal. The Regenbogenfabrik (Rainbow Factory) Berlin is an alternative project of the squatters of the 1980s. It is a hostel, bicycle workshop, carpentry workshop, cinema, kitchen & canteen and day care centre.

Counter-movement to the demolition and new construction policy of the city of Berlin. Turning away from land redevelopment through new buildings towards a cautious urban renewal that creates new community spaces.

Soon after its legalisation, the Regenbogenfabrik in Berlin-Kreuzberg established itself as a »children's, cultural and neighbourhood centre«. Today, the grounds and buildings of the Regenbogenfabrik cover approx. 1,300 m² of usable space and 900 m² of open space and are located in the courtyard of Lausitzer Straße 22 near Görlitzer Park, which has been on the site of the former Görlitzer Bahnhof since the 1990s.

Students, residents of Berlin-Kreuzberg