URBANISM AND DICTATORSHIP A European Challenge

Description

Series:Bauwelt Fundamente 153

In the first half of the twentieth century, urban design under the influence of European dictatorships not only served to support the rulers in their own country, but also to gain the recognition of the democratic states. After the National Socialist regime came to power in Germany, urban design increasingly became the trump card in the competition amongst the large dictatorships in Europe – almost as in the time of absolutism. Irrespective of all conflicts and political orientations, there was an intense exchange of ideas amongst the states in Europe.
It is therefore not adequate to make an assessment just from the point of view of the dictatorships. The overarching view helps to understand the special characteristics of each dictatorship and also disproves some simplified interpretations of their respective approaches to urban design. That is not just of historic interest; the discussion of the issue of dictatorships is always also an expression of our social condition, our commemorative culture, our ability to recognize old and new forms of dictatorship – even today!
The book discusses the state of research into urban design under five dictatorships during the first half of the twentieth century, and presents new research results based on examples.

CONTENTS

• Frontmatter, Contents, Introduction
• Urbanism and Dictatorship: Expanding Spaces for Thought! / Bodenschatz, Harald
• Urbanism and Dictatorship: Perspectives of the Field of Urban Studies / Sevilla-Buitrago, Álvaro
• Urbanism and Dictatorship: Perspectives of Art History / Beese, Christine

Italy

• Urbanism in Fascist Italy: All Well and Good? / Spiegel, Daniela
• The Role of Newsreels in the Modernization of Cities: More than just Propaganda / Ciacci, Leonardo

Portugal

• Urbanism under Salazar: Program, Practice, and Reception / Canto Moniz, Gonçalo / Oppen, Christian von

Spain

• On Urbanism in the Early Years of Francoism / Sambricio, Carlos
• Preservation of Franco’s Social Housing Estates in Madrid / Pablo, Ainhoa Díez de

Germany

• Urbanism and Housing Policy in Nazi Germany: A Commentary / Harlander, Tilman
• The Technical Fairground in Leipzig in the Period of National Socialism / Scheffler, Tanja

Soviet Union

• Controversial Urbanism During the First Years of the Stalin Dictatorship / Bodenschatz, Harald / Flierl, Thomas
• Ernst May’s Standardized Cities for Western Siberia / Flierl, Thomas

Conclusions

• Urbanism, Dictatorship and Historiography: A Contextualization / Guerra, Max Welch

Related Activities

• The European Cultural Route ATRIUM: A “Dissonant Heritage” / Leech, Patrick
• UEDXX: International Network “Urbanism of European Dictatorships during the XXth Century” / Sassi, Piero

Authors, Picture Credits

248 pages, 101 black & white illustrations / 14 x 19 cm / English