Post-socialist Cities and the Urban Common Good: Transformations in Central and Eastern Europe

The book explores the changing approaches to urban common good in Central and Eastern Europe after 1989, highlighting the shift from city as a commodity to city as a commons. It documents the paradigm shift in European cities and emphasizes the need for drawing from the socialist legacy while learning from the mistakes of the recent past.

Format: Hardback
Length: 196 pages
Publication date: 21 December 2022
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

This captivating book delves into the evolving approaches to urban common good in Central and Eastern Europe since 1989. The concept of common good holds immense significance in urban living, yet its understanding varies significantly across local contexts and conditions, particularly in countries with a history of communism. In cities situated east of the former Iron Curtain, the once ideologically imposed principle of common good gradually lost its value throughout the 20th century due to a lack of citizen agency. However, it reemerged as a response to the challenges posed by neoliberal capitalism in the 2010s. The book unveils how the notion of urban common good has been reconstructed and implemented in European cities after socialism. It meticulously documents the paradigm shift from cities being viewed as communal infrastructures to being perceived as commodities, a transformation that has recently been challenged by the concept of cities as commons. These transformations are explored and analyzed within various urban themes, including housing, public transport, green infrastructure, public space, urban regeneration, and spatial justice. A particular focus is placed on examining the changes in public discourse in Poland and the perspectives of key urban stakeholders in three case-study cities: Gdańsk, Kraków, and Łódź. The findings highlight the importance of drawing from the best practices of the socialist legacy, which celebrated the common. At the same time, they emphasize the need to learn from the mistakes of the recent past, where opportunities for citizen empowerment were missed.

This book is a valuable resource for researchers, academics, postgraduates, practitioners, and anyone with an interest in rediscovering the inherent potential of urban commonality. It appeals to individuals working in human geography, spatial planning, and other fields of urban studies. By examining the evolving approaches to urban common good in Central and Eastern Europe, this book provides insights into the complex dynamics shaping urban spaces and the potential for creating more inclusive, sustainable, and equitable cities.

Weight: 540g
Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780367545734