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A platform for research: civil engineering, architecture and urbanism
Rebuilding of a Historic Polish Town: ‘Retroversion’ in Action
The city of Elblag must be unique in Europe for rebuilding its old town only after a gap of 50 years since its destruction in 1945. Elblag was missed out of the postwar Polish drive to rebuild its destroyed historic centres, principally because it was a German city pre-1939 and only reverted to Poland in the great postwar convulsion of national boundaries in central and eastern Europe. After forming a public park for 20 years, the buildings of the old town are now being reconstructed on their old foundations, approximately to their previous heights, but in a rather frenetic post-modern style. This whole rebuilding process has been dubbed ‘retroversion’ by the Poles.
As an extreme case, the retroversion of Elblag raises many issues about the design of new buildings in historic areas, and challenges the hegemony of western European attitudes to authenticity in conservation. In particular, one might question the emphasis on the authenticity of the building fabric. Perhaps we can learn from the Poles who value the authenticity of spirit or character rather than simply the building fabric.
Rebuilding of a Historic Polish Town: ‘Retroversion’ in Action
The city of Elblag must be unique in Europe for rebuilding its old town only after a gap of 50 years since its destruction in 1945. Elblag was missed out of the postwar Polish drive to rebuild its destroyed historic centres, principally because it was a German city pre-1939 and only reverted to Poland in the great postwar convulsion of national boundaries in central and eastern Europe. After forming a public park for 20 years, the buildings of the old town are now being reconstructed on their old foundations, approximately to their previous heights, but in a rather frenetic post-modern style. This whole rebuilding process has been dubbed ‘retroversion’ by the Poles.
As an extreme case, the retroversion of Elblag raises many issues about the design of new buildings in historic areas, and challenges the hegemony of western European attitudes to authenticity in conservation. In particular, one might question the emphasis on the authenticity of the building fabric. Perhaps we can learn from the Poles who value the authenticity of spirit or character rather than simply the building fabric.
Rebuilding of a Historic Polish Town: ‘Retroversion’ in Action
Johnson, Jim (author)
Journal of Architectural Conservation ; 6 ; 63-71
2000-01-01
9 pages
Article (Journal)
Electronic Resource
English
Rebuilding of a Historic Polish Town: `Retroversion' in Action
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