2o12/1 - Fakulteta za arhitekturo - Univerza v Ljubljani

Gergely NagyAR 2012/1 recenzija: Workers' neighborhoods and workers' cities 1750 - 1950construction, the development and the possibilities of preservingof the workers' cities in Baranya, Carinthia, Croatia, FriuliVenezias-Giulia, Upper Austria and Slovenia.Usually the aim of publishing the research results and studiesis the cognition and familiarization, as the basis. However, thisbook substantially exceeds this as it is written by specialistswho are experienced not only in the field of research but alsoin the practice of urbanism and of the protection of monuments.Accordingly they were able to overview the research resultsfrom a practical point of view. Besides the interpretation ofthe architectural and historic significance of the workers'neighborhoods and workers' cities the book concerns questionsof national monuments as well. In this case beyond the traditionalapproach of protection of monuments – because of the scale andthe context – the preservations have to be done according to anentirely new system of requirements. This has no elaboratedroutine yet, we can recline only upon general internationalcharters and principles. The volume is actually referring to therelated international agreements. Accurately estimating the localfacilities – based on the conservation principles of the ICOMOS– the book is even defining a conceptual preservation program. Itpresents the requirements of preservation in a general order thatafter being completed with the local peculiarities can become aprogram of renewal of the regions.Apparently the workers’ cities are the proofs of an era. Thebook is confirming – following the definition of the VeniceCharter – that not only those are national monuments that weredeclared to be one. We can read it from the authors of “TheInternational Charter for the Conservation and Restorationof Monuments and Sites” from 1964 that “the concept of ahistoric monument embraces not only the single architecturalwork but also the urban or rural setting in which is found theevidence of a particular civilization, a significant developmentor a historic event. This applies not only to great works of artbut also to more modest works of the past which have acquiredcultural significance with the passing of time.” Already the firststudies showed that the definitions of the Venice Charter fit tothe workers’ neighborhoods of the Alps-Adriatic region: so it isnot redundant to deeply engage in this subject. This modest butcommitted starting point led the project group to this volumethat opens up the possibilities to an entirely new research field.It needs to be continued because whoever outside the discussedregions reviews the work will realize that there are similarcomplexes in his neighborhood that were ignored before. Atmost sites drastic transformations rush the workers’ cities intodanger. Beyond the presentation of the architectural and historicsignificance the volume is destined to attract attention to thenecessity of their protection and preservation. With the help ofthe book of the Alps-Adriatic Project Group a new opportunityis opened up for the research of further workers' neighborhoodsand workers' cities because it gives the possibility of continuingand joining the project.Slika 1: Maribor. Železničarska kolonija (EŠD 448), Kurilniška, Koresova,Preradovičeva, Komenskega ulica, Južne železnice, 1863-1873.Figure 1: Maribor. Railway colony, South railway company * Südbanhof,1863-1873. [photo D. Zupančič].Slika 2: Maribor. Železničarska kolonija (EŠD 448), Kurilniška, Koresova,Preradovičeva, Komenskega ulica, Južne železnice, 1863-1873. Primervhodnih vrat.Figure 2: Maribor. Railway colony, South railway company * Südbanhof,1863-1873. Entrance sample. [photo D. Zupančič].43