Reconstruction tools for post-socialism era cities Инструменты реконструкции

постсоциалистических городов

Piotr LorensGdansk University of Technology – Faculty of Architecture

ISOCARP – International Society of City and Regional Planners

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Focus on the areas of panel microdistrict buildingsАкцент на территории панельной микрорайонной застройки

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1. Genesis of the problem• Socialist cities – developed under the „command and control”

system – focus on quantity of flats, industrial estates etc., but not on quality of these (and of the urban structure as such)

• Low architectural standards, materials and technologies used in the process of producing these structures

• Idealistic implementation of the modernistic principles – with no reflection on their unusefullness for many social and societal needs

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2. Nature of the problem• Post-socialist cities – suffering from a number of problems –

associated with economic transformation, liberal model of development, social decline etc.

• These are mostly visible within the housing and post-industrial areas – but also in historic centers

• Large-scale housing estates – most visible and „burning” issue – due to existing population and its problems

• Many types of degradation associated with these5

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3. How to deal with these – key concepts• Infill the existing structure with new stock – create the mix• Demonstrate how to change the situation – THE LIVE

EXAMPLE IS MORE EXPRESSIVE THAN PURE THEORY• Improve the quality of public and commercial services and

infrastructure (including transportation network)• Revitalize the non-housing distressed areas (post-industrial

and others – THESE ARE HIDDEN OPPORTUNITIES)

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4. How to deal with these – key implementation instruments

• Keep the public sector active and interested • Create opportunities for the private sector – PLAN IT!• Privatize the stock OR keep it 100% public

– Privatization – shifting the effort– Keeping it public – allows comprehensive intervention

• Involve citizens – they can be Your partners in this process (and may invest more than expected)

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5. Conclusions

• Reconstruction of the post-socialist cities AND their housing estates – more than building / architectural problem

• Requires carefull consideration of issues, possible intervention concepts and applicability of the intervention tools

• Do not forget about the three partners in this process: public sector, private sector, individual citizens

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