To the problems of revitalization of public spaces in Eastern Bloc housing estates

Abstract

The article is a contribution to the discussion about the revitalizations of over-dimensioned and characterless public spaces in housing estates areas in the Eastern Bloc. The Central Park in Southern Town I – the largest housing estate in Prague – is a significant example of such public space.

The article presents the main results of two different but complementary analysis of the Central Park. Analysis “from bellow” (the user's perspective) is based on the results of anthropological research in the area. Analysis “from above” is based on personal experience of an urban planner.

According to the authors only the triangulation of anthropological and architectural/urban planning methods of reading place allows to come near to complex understanding of place, its character and identity.

The authors point out the importance of participation of the users in the revitalizations, which is an important condition of the broad acceptance of the result. Most of the Czech municipalities are still mistrustful of participatory processes. That brings many unnecessary problems.

Keywords:

• housing estates
• public space
• revitalization
• park
• Eastern Bloc
• Prague

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Martin Veselý

MARTIN VESELÝ

Department of Anthropology, Faculty of Humanities, Charles University in Prague, U Kříže 8, 158 00 Prague 5, Czech Republic. E-mail: [email protected]

Is an urban anthropologist. At present time is a PhD. student of anthropology at Faculty of humanities, Charles University in Prague under the supervision of Radan Haluzík. His research is concerned with the problems of local identity and identification with place in urban areas. Apart from urban anthropology is interested in policies and strategies of urban development.

Lukáš Vacek

LUKÁŠ VACEK

Department of Design III, Faculty of Architecture, Czech Technical University in Prague, Thákurova 9, 166 34 Prague 6, Czech Republic. E-mail: [email protected]

Is an architect and town planner. At present time is a PhD. student of urbanism at Faculty of architecture, Czech Technical University in Prague under the supervision of Jan Sedlák. His research is concerned with the theory of place identity and the phenomenon of genius loci. He is a lecturer at the Faculty of Architecture and at the Architectural Institute in Prague.