Rebuilding after WWII, nearly every Eastern Bloc nation dedicated enormous resources to building a utopian "new city", intended to demonstrate the superiority of socialist ideals. Today, we explore the history and planning of these massive projects.
Bulgaria's Dimitrovgrad began construction in 1947, and was quickly followed by Nowa Huta in Poland, Poruba in Czechoslovakia, Eisenhüttenstadt in East Germany, and Dunaújváros in Hungary.
Bulgaria's Dimitrovgrad began construction in 1947, and was quickly followed by Nowa Huta in Poland, Poruba in Czechoslovakia, Eisenhüttenstadt in East Germany, and Dunaújváros in Hungary.
Bulgaria's Dimitrovgrad began construction in 1947, and was quickly followed by Nowa Huta in Poland, Poruba in Czechoslovakia, Eisenhüttenstadt in East Germany, and Dunaújváros in Hungary.
Bulgaria's Dimitrovgrad began construction in 1947, and was quickly followed by Nowa Huta in Poland, Poruba in Czechoslovakia, Eisenhüttenstadt in East Germany, and Dunaújváros in Hungary.
The scale of these cities was massive, with planned populations ranging between thirty and a hundred thousand. Likewise, the architecture exemplified the monumental socialist realist style, a neoclassical format with a modern twist.
The scale of these cities was massive, with planned populations ranging between thirty and a hundred thousand. Likewise, the architecture exemplified the monumental socialist realist style, a neoclassical format with a modern twist.
The scale of these cities was massive, with planned populations ranging between thirty and a hundred thousand. Likewise, the architecture exemplified the monumental socialist realist style, a neoclassical format with a modern twist.
The scale of these cities was massive, with planned populations ranging between thirty and a hundred thousand. Likewise, the architecture exemplified the monumental socialist realist style, a neoclassical format with a modern twist.
Curiously however, architectural variation to match local character was allowed and even encouraged. Folk, Baroque, and even Bauhaus influences are present in many new city buildings.
Curiously however, architectural variation to match local character was allowed and even encouraged. Folk, Baroque, and even Bauhaus influences are present in many new city buildings.
Curiously however, architectural variation to match local character was allowed and even encouraged. Folk, Baroque, and even Bauhaus influences are present in many new city buildings.
Curiously however, architectural variation to match local character was allowed and even encouraged. Folk, Baroque, and even Bauhaus influences are present in many new city buildings.
The cities were also designed industrial hubs, and most were paired with an enormous new steel mill. But plenty of signs of rural life still persisted, especially since many residents were former peasants.
Neighborhoods were organized along the "mikroraion" model, with traffic limited and all basic needs accessible within a short walk. Trees were densely planted to provide cover in the hot summers and wet winters.
Neighborhoods were organized along the "mikroraion" model, with traffic limited and all basic needs accessible within a short walk. Trees were densely planted to provide cover in the hot summers and wet winters.
Neighborhoods were organized along the "mikroraion" model, with traffic limited and all basic needs accessible within a short walk. Trees were densely planted to provide cover in the hot summers and wet winters.
Neighborhoods were organized along the "mikroraion" model, with traffic limited and all basic needs accessible within a short walk. Trees were densely planted to provide cover in the hot summers and wet winters.
Neighborhoods were organized along the "mikroraion" model, with traffic limited and all basic needs accessible within a short walk. Trees were densely planted to provide cover in the hot summers and wet winters.
Over time, these projects became less significant as heavy industry was deprioritized, and the elegantly planned cores were gradually surrounded by ad hoc late Soviet and post-Soviet suburbs.
Over time, these projects became less significant as heavy industry was deprioritized, and the elegantly planned cores were gradually surrounded by ad hoc late Soviet and post-Soviet suburbs.
Over time, these projects became less significant as heavy industry was deprioritized, and the elegantly planned cores were gradually surrounded by ad hoc late Soviet and post-Soviet suburbs.
Over time, these projects became less significant as heavy industry was deprioritized, and the elegantly planned cores were gradually surrounded by ad hoc late Soviet and post-Soviet suburbs.
Today, the new cities face a mixed fate. With the collapse of industrial employment, some have stagnated. Others managed to continue growing--today, Nowa Huta houses nearly a quarter million people, even as the steel mill employs only a few thousand.
Today, the new cities face a mixed fate. With the collapse of industrial employment, some have stagnated. Others managed to continue growing--today, Nowa Huta houses nearly a quarter million people, even as the steel mill employs only a few thousand.
Today, the new cities face a mixed fate. With the collapse of industrial employment, some have stagnated. Others managed to continue growing--today, Nowa Huta houses nearly a quarter million people, even as the steel mill employs only a few thousand.
Today, the new cities face a mixed fate. With the collapse of industrial employment, some have stagnated. Others managed to continue growing--today, Nowa Huta houses nearly a quarter million people, even as the steel mill employs only a few thousand.
Fortunately, as political connotations have faded away, the architecture and planning of these towns has been increasingly appreciated. The new cities provide an excellent example of people-oriented design at a time when the West was building highways and suburban subdivisions.
Fortunately, as political connotations have faded away, the architecture and planning of these towns has been increasingly appreciated. The new cities provide an excellent example of people-oriented design at a time when the West was building highways and suburban subdivisions.
Fortunately, as political connotations have faded away, the architecture and planning of these towns has been increasingly appreciated. The new cities provide an excellent example of people-oriented design at a time when the West was building highways and suburban subdivisions.
Fortunately, as political connotations have faded away, the architecture and planning of these towns has been increasingly appreciated. The new cities provide an excellent example of people-oriented design at a time when the West was building highways and suburban subdivisions.
Special thank you to @honker3d for inspiring this topic with his excellent video on Soviet cities in Siberia:
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