These apartment buildings in Hoyerswerda, Germany, were built to keep up with a fast-growing population when the city was part of the former East Germany. But as photographer Demetrius Freeman discovered, the city is struggling economically and has lost thousands of residents since the fall of the Berlin Wall. The color and railings were recently added to the buildings to help make them more attractive to prospective residents.
Snapshots from a shrinking city —
These apartment buildings in Hoyerswerda, Germany, were built to keep up with a fast-growing population when the city was part of the former East Germany. But as photographer Demetrius Freeman discovered, the city is struggling economically and has lost thousands of residents since the fall of the Berlin Wall. The color and railings were recently added to the buildings to help make them more attractive to prospective residents.
Demetrius Freeman
A train station in Hoyerswerda. When Freeman arrived last year, its population had dwindled to 35,000.
Snapshots from a shrinking city —
A train station in Hoyerswerda. When Freeman arrived last year, its population had dwindled to 35,000.
Demetrius Freeman
A paper cutout sits in the window of a home that's scheduled to be demolished for coal mining operations. It's one of Freeman's favorite photos: "It promoted this perfect couple and a perfect world, when it really wasn't perfect."
Snapshots from a shrinking city —
A paper cutout sits in the window of a home that's scheduled to be demolished for coal mining operations. It's one of Freeman's favorite photos: "It promoted this perfect couple and a perfect world, when it really wasn't perfect."
Demetrius Freeman
Vattenfall, a Swedish mining company, mines for coal on the city's outskirts.
Snapshots from a shrinking city —
Vattenfall, a Swedish mining company, mines for coal on the city's outskirts.
Demetrius Freeman
Decades ago, Hoyerswerda was held up as an example of a communist utopia.
Snapshots from a shrinking city —
Decades ago, Hoyerswerda was held up as an example of a communist utopia.
Demetrius Freeman
A couple and their grandson wait to cross the street. Hoyerswerda's average age is 48, Freeman said, and it continues to climb while the 20-30 age group has dropped dramatically.
Snapshots from a shrinking city —
A couple and their grandson wait to cross the street. Hoyerswerda's average age is 48, Freeman said, and it continues to climb while the 20-30 age group has dropped dramatically.
Demetrius Freeman
A security camera watches lonely ticket machines at the Hoyerswerda train station.
Snapshots from a shrinking city —
A security camera watches lonely ticket machines at the Hoyerswerda train station.
Demetrius Freeman
A nearly empty street in the center of Hoyerswerda.
Snapshots from a shrinking city —
A nearly empty street in the center of Hoyerswerda.
Demetrius Freeman
The inside of an abandoned brown coal factory.
Snapshots from a shrinking city —
The inside of an abandoned brown coal factory.
Demetrius Freeman
Windows of a closed-down factory.
Snapshots from a shrinking city —
Windows of a closed-down factory.
Demetrius Freeman
A thrift shop in Hoyerswerda. "This area was surrounded by apartments; now it is just a quiet place," said owner Andrea Hartkopf.
Snapshots from a shrinking city —
A thrift shop in Hoyerswerda. "This area was surrounded by apartments; now it is just a quiet place," said owner Andrea Hartkopf.
Demetrius Freeman
Tape covers the openings of empty apartment mailboxes. In this particular building, only two residents remained.
Snapshots from a shrinking city —
Tape covers the openings of empty apartment mailboxes. In this particular building, only two residents remained.
Demetrius Freeman
A shopping center sign stands in the roundabout in the New Town area of Hoyerswerda. This area was added to accommodate the increase of residences in the early 1970s.
Snapshots from a shrinking city —
A shopping center sign stands in the roundabout in the New Town area of Hoyerswerda. This area was added to accommodate the increase of residences in the early 1970s.
Demetrius Freeman
A building waits to be demolished on the outskirts of town.
Snapshots from a shrinking city —
A building waits to be demolished on the outskirts of town.
Demetrius Freeman