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Most historians would suggest evolution of design is the primary reason. Course, that does not mean the evolutionary path taken, is all that nice to look at. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder - Margaret Wolfe Hungerford, 1878.Some cities regenerate themselves every 25 years while others have decided to maintain their historic heritage as best they can. This is important to understand; time has changed large city development processes and the direction of gentrification policy followed by many municipalities.The ability to design, construct or renovate a structure has been folded into a tiny fraction of what was required in the 1800’s. This pace of change for many is unsettling and occurring all over Europe because other cities do not want to be left behind. There are exceptions such as mega projects as the World Trade Center in New York or the London Water front such as the Canary Wharf development east of London that took over a two decades to complete Phase I and II and will continue to expand for another decade.One cannot design something these days without a city planning department having its say along with public consultations, hearings and submissions as a requirement before developers are allowed to proceed. Even so, the consultation process has been condensed in some cities and is a key contributor how some designs that look bizarre to many, are allowed to be built.Just because you may not like the design does mean others do not. So the answer cannot be pointed at any one specific person, organization or architect. It is what it is and that’s what transpires during the gentrification of large successful towns and cities. But there are dependencies and caveats that have slowed the pace of change that influence the speed of gentrification or the decision not to allow it to occur - for now.One of the more interesting outcomes in the blending of architecture and design after World War II, occurred in the town of Dresden, Germany. Leveled by Allied bombing between late 1943 and early 1945, the city was almost completely destroyed. Yet, immediately after the war, the choices Dresden made were to rebuild using most of the same architecture that already existed. This was not necessarily by choice throughout its history as part of East Germany. This meant very little resources were available to build anything with what they already had, under strict supervision of the puppet East German city’s protectorate, the Soviet Union.Photo by Author (c) 2015 - Dresden, GermanyAfter reunification in 1990 - 1991, the city initially saw no minor or major changes. Once acclimatized, the city began to explore modern architecture proposals, most of which have been soundly rejected beginning at the turn of the century. Even today, the level of change has been conservative.But progress has not been fully rejected with some shops using modern facades and window treatments - that most have accepted and considered practical given the condition of the buildings being renovated.Photo by Author (c) 2015 - Skyline of BerlinNestled inside Berlin is a mixture of modern and new architecture. Up close and in person, the influence of modern architects and artists is apparent. But the mix is very good in my opinion.Photo by Author (c) 2015 - Berlin, GermanyPhoto by Author (c) 2015 - Berlin, GermanyIs it so bad that old and new(er) are side by side? Compared to some of the architecture unleashed in Paris, some would argue the design choice to have both of these buildings beside each other is mild. Berlin has blended old and new in the downtown core with some interesting results.Photo by Author (c) 2014 Downtown Berlin, GermanyPhoto by Author (c) 2014 - Berlin, Germany. Standing tall behind this relatively bland building is the Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church built in 1891 and took four years to complete. The building in the forefront took 11 months. The Kaiser was heavily damaged during World War II and has been undergoing decades long maintenance that will never be fully restored to its original structural size or decorum. For many, the contrast is too much to bear while others respect and admire the decision to keep the Church was the most important consideration and serves as a key reminder of the level of destruction World War II had on Berlin. The Belfry built on the other side was added in 1963.When I visited, I found the mix to be odd yet understandable. West Berlin in the 60’s was undergoing dynamic political change during a very difficult era, the Cold War. It was also attempting to find its new standing not only in Germany, but throughout Europe, with many neighboring nations still filled of memories of Nazi Germany. The decision in 1949 to move the capital to West Germany ripped the culture of the city apart for decades. The idea that West Berlin could build and design beautiful buildings was the last thing on anyone’s mind until after reunification. Since 2000, it is clear fresh ideas were on the horizon for Berlin as Architectural gradates from Universities from all over Germany began to fill the pipeline of new ideas. And yet the blend has been a remarkable one of old and new ideas and creativity. To me, the first new designs since 2010 have been rather tasteful in my opinion despite the contrast they bring to the landscape. Give it time. Germany is still rebuilding its intelligentsia and identity after 60 years of war, friction and political upheaval. The newer generation has new ideas and wants to start a new away from the old - with understandable reasons.The same is true in many other parts of Europe - including Moscow, Warsaw and many other Eastern Europe nations. Moscow’s gentrification could easily imitate downtown New York in some sections. Make of it what you wish. London, Paris, Berlin and other cities have different interpretations of how best to integrate old and new. Stuttgart, Prague and many others have managed well given the constraints and needs each city requires.This exercise is occurring all over the world, not just Europe and will be a continuing debate for the foreseeable future. Probably the most notable city that has experienced more controversy regarding architecture and gentrification is Paris. The answer would require several books to explain how the city has undergone its transformation. To say that Parisians are up in arms would be an understatement. Truth be told, Parisians are used to it and have undergone this grand experiment for over 2,500 years and will never halt the expressions of its people. The same is true of London, a mere 500 years younger. I will not attempt to discuss Paris. As I mentioned earlier, it could take years to answer and likely start a French revolution if one is not careful with one’s words…..Gentrification has never been an easy exercise and nor should it be. Compared to some cities in Asia such as Shenzhen, China, what they are proceeding with and currently undergoing would be unheard of and considered an extreme overhaul compared the classic approach most cities take. Singapore has gone through this exercise 5 times since the end of World War II and has dramatically influenced gentrification policy and the decision making process Asian city planning departments undertake.In Shenzhen, there has been almost no community hearings or public input to the designs being proposed. It has decided to tear down entire city blocks and neighborhoods to completely replace the old buildings with modern towers and low level buildings with little outside consultation. Many consider it a grand experiment that will have many lessons learned.There are several Shenzhen gentrification case studies underway by researchers that are worth reading and can easily be found online.Professor Juan Du of the University of Hong Kong, has written extensively on the issue of gentrification of Shenzhen and offers some interesting insights that illustrate the impact on a community. Along with her colleagues at the University, how Shenzhen’s evolution and growth has occurred is not all that dissimilar to Paris or London, despite the fact that Shenzhen as a metropolis, is less than 40 years old. It’s the pace of change that many are alarmed by.HKU Faculty of Architecture