Zprávy památkové péče 2014, 74(3):220-229

Urban complexes of Socialist Realism. Background, values, protection

Helga Kozelská Bencúrová, Aleš Palacký

An integral part of the cultural heritage of the 20th century are the urban complexes and architectural works built in the style of a so called socialist realism in the 1950's and preserved in cities and urban areas. Their values have not been sufficiently recognized, even though they meet the general characteristics according to Article 1 of the Venice Charter and care for them corresponds to Article 1 of the section Principles and Objectives of the Washington Charter.
The article deals with the starting points and principles drawn from during the period of socialist realism, and seeks out and identifies the positive aspects that this creative style brought to residents. A typical and widely known example of the first phase of this period are the residential complexes with corner towers in the first district of Ostrava-Poruba, inspired by the Palladian high order, or complexes in the first district of the Slovany residential area in Plzeň. Ostrava-Poruba is so far the only urban heritage zone of an urban complex from this period, declared in 2003.
The architectural values of socialist realism are based on the concept of materials and facades, although their model is based on traditional classic values and in some caseselements of folk architecture.
Their stylish designs are based on proven timeless principles. The principle is rotational symmetry and gradation towards the corner, while the faćade design respects an articulation into the base part, main part, and an attic storey. Urban principles signaled a return to proven traditional values that enabled the creation of a harmonious living environment with a respect to scale, in newly created complexes.
Preserved complexes and buildings are understood today as evidence of the testimony of the period. Their protection is therefore important, since the irreversible process of modernization, insulation, and facade repairs irreversibly destroy the preserved values.
The National Heritage Institute, in cooperation with the Ministry of Culture, has prepared a methodology for a conservation plans. Even though this secondary legislation is tailored primarily for heritage reservations and zones, its general rules for the categorization of heritage values are also applicable for the assessment of buildings and urban spaces in other historically valuable areas. The aim of the ongoing research is, inter alia, the application of the principles of the methodology of the conservation plan for selected specific segments of the urban heritage, among which the residential areas of the socialist realism are undoubtedly ranked.
New cities and city districts based on urban principles of socialist realism were built not only in this country but also in the Slovak Republic, Hungary, Poland, Germany and other countries of the former socialist sector. Post-war repairs of cities outside this sector followed the same classical principles as well. The most significant example in Western Europe is the reconstruction of the war-destroyed center of the French city of Le Havre, which was inscribed on the World Heritage List in 2005. Also important in this area is the legacy of former East Germany, where the restoration of war-destroyed cities found reflection in the Building Act of 1950 and in the document "16 principles of urbanism". Even though in many areas only fragments of plans were realized, the concept of key spaces defined undisputed urban values that can be found in all post-communist countries.
In the Czech Republic, the possible territorial protection of these sites is anchored in legislation, but only Ostrava-Poruba is secured as an urban heritage zone. In other locations, such as in Havířov, buffer zones have been declared. These declarations refer to specific buildings, however, and not to the protection of the values of socialist realism. In most cases, no territorial protection exists at all. The architectural and urban heritage of the period of the socialist realism has not been appreciated either by the state or by professionals and the general public. At the same time, though it represents extraordinary values and provides an important testimony of the twentieth century. For the most valuable complexes within the post-socialist countries, therefore, inscription onto the World Cultural Heritage List might be considered as a unique heritage of the previous period.
Despite the political symbolism of socialist realism and the excessive decorativeness of the structures constructed during the first phase, and despite the use of typological series with defined typified concepts of structures and space, the individual buildings, units, complexes, and urban areas differ through the approach of their creators and through their regional and national concepts. They remain a significant testimony to a single historic era of the formation of society and settlements, and as such, their values should not be extinguished.

Keywords: socialist realism, sorela, 1950's, heritage value, protection

Published: September 1, 2014  Show citation