WHAT IS THE MAIN IDEA OF THE PROJECT AND WHO IS THE TARGET GROUP?

All over former Eastern Europe, collective dwellings built in the Socialist era are now in a critical state, in terms both of their structure and their social function. Privatisation of this housing fund in the early 90s led to a paradoxical situation. On the one hand, complete social disintegration has led to a chaotic individual development of the units (apartments) and derelict communal spaces. Complete rehabilitation of this housing no longer appears even remotely possible. On the other hand, despite its physical similarities with housing estates in Western countries, this housing was created not to serve disadvantaged social groups (i.e. as 'social housing') but as a political means to level class differences (i.e. as 'housing for everybody'). Few alternatives were available and these neighbourhoods consequently still enjoy a degree of social mix and urbanity – although decline has certainly set in.

Bucharest, one of the largest cities in South-Eastern Europe, is characterised by this type of prefabricated housing, which accounts for 70 per cent of the city’s total housing stock. Bucharest’s development was quite specific, however: large estate developments were planned as extensions of the city, not as new towns; a huge number of them are situated in the inner city core, the result of totalitarian planning in the 1980s; and the radical socio-political upheaval of 1989 caused abrupt, extensive change. This makes it a perfect place to study the relationship between totalitarian planning and ultra-liberal growth, between the collective and the individual, and the private and the public spheres.

WHAT DOES THE PROJECT INCLUDE?

The project includes an exhibition and conference in Bucharest.

The exhibition concentrates on the urgency of action, but also on the potential of these areas. The possible strategies for action were highlighted and model solutions (applied on the three case studies) proposed, in order to verify and express the ideas and also to promote the strategies. A part of the exhibition was conceived as an interactive installation on the meaning and the potential of public space in these areas. A publication in the form of a book on the subject (in Romanian and English) was produced.