Continuity and Transformation of Open Spaces in the Large Housing Estate Developed under Socialism in Prague, Czech Republic

After WW II, a large number of housing estates has been developed all over the world. Especially in the socialist countries at that time, prefab panel housings had been constructed quickly before the completion of neighbourhood facilities and open spaces. In Jižní Město, one of the largest housing estates in Prague, various open spaces and public facilities had been planned in 1960s but many of them had not realized as planned and remained without maintenance. However, it has been decades after the development, and now the regeneration of these open spaces has taken place. In this paper, it is clarified that the regeneration way of the open spaces depending on their own backgrounds and present situations. First, I clarified the original concept and present situation of open spaces in Jižní Město by archive documents and field survey. Next, I clarified the present policy and idea of the regeneration by an interview with the municipality. When a new building is constructed in Czechoslovakia under socialism, it was enacted that the part of the construction fee had to be used for artworks. At the development of Jižní Město, the concept of open spaces and the arrangement of artworks were mentioned in a document of the development plan. According to the document, every design should be designed not only for individual building or plot, but also the whole area of Jižní Město. Besides, the area inside of Jižní Město was divided into five parts and each of them had own theme. Various artworks -mainly sculptures, some reliefs and fountains etc.- were planned under each area theme. In addition, a design competition of courtyard and street furniture was held. This design process means the original concept of open spaces in Jižní Město paid attention to the artistry of place. Present regeneration of open spaces in Jižní Město is designed in a shorter period of time and smaller scale than the original plan because it can be cancelled in the course of planning if it takes a long time. Furthermore, the successful realization of regeneration can raise awareness of neighbours about open space and make the cooperative relationship easier for the future regeneration. Each regeneration of open space considers existing objects, neighbours’ needs and relationship with surrounding buildings and facilities. For example, a sculpture designed in the socialist era remains until today and became part of the regenerated open space. On the other hand, more functional materials such as laundry drying tool or sandbox are planned to remove when they have not been used anymore. An existing desire path route remains as a paved path in a new regeneration plan considering inhabitants’ convenience. The functional materials in open spaces can be changed flexibly by regeneration depending on the inhabitants’ needs and it can make open spaces more comfortable and convenient. However, at the same time, some artworks created under socialism are preserved and trees planted decades ago are now grown and provides rich green areas. These kinds of continuity indicate the history of the place through transformation.