In many ways, the robust transit systems are a reflection of the country’s values, which emphasize collectivity and sustainability. When riding public transit, I feel integrated into Berlin’s environment; in short, I feel like a ‘local.’ The current configuration of the transportation system also reveals hints about the city’s past. When the city was divided by the Berlin Wall, certain U-Bahn stations in East Berlin had to be shut down so people couldn’t use them to escape. They became known as ‘ghost stations’ because they were still visible from the train as it passed by and became time capsules, practically untouched for decades. Trams, which are similar to trains but run on tracks integrated into the street, are mostly found in former East Berlin, since the Soviet government continued to maintain them, while West Berlin opted for buses instead. You can see this divide in the tram map (former East Berlin is the grey zone, former West Berlin is the white). This map is an example of a diagram, which is often used by architects and urban planners to communicate complex information. Diagrams are usually simplified drawings, showing the appearance, structure, or workings of something.
