The primary aim of the course is to provide an overview of the most relevant theories concerning the relationship between socialist and capitalist urbanisation, to introduce the main characteristics of the so-called ‘socialist new towns’ (planned industrial towns), and, predominantly through Hungarian examples, to discuss the key features of urban development and urban structure in the socialist and the post-socialist period. In the second half of the semester, the post-1990 transformation processes of inner city areas, socialist-era housing estates and formerly mono-functional industrial areas are examined (both in class, as well as within the confines of two short field trips in Budapest), and the intricate interconnectedness of ideology, (state) power and the use of urban open space is explored through local examples. In addition to gaining knowledge in the fields of urban geography, urban history and urban sociology, as another important goal of the course, Erasmus students and Hungarian geographer students of Eötvös Loránd University also have an opportunity for networking, sharing experiences, and establishing long-term scientific relations.
CLASS 01: Capitalist vs. socialist urbanisation: A theoretical framework
CLASS 02: Urbanisation in the socialist era: International overview and the Hungarian experience
CLASS 03: Industrial new towns: The hallmarks of socialist urbanity
CLASS 04: Urban structure of the socialist city
CLASS 05: The return to the road of capitalism: Theorising the politico-economic transition
CLASS 06: Urban structure of the post-socialist city (Part I: The inner city and the industrial areas)
CLASS 07: Short field trip in Budapest connected to Part I (CHARM-EU online participants will receive all necessary background materials connected to the field trip)
CLASS 08: Urban structure of the post-socialist city (Part II: The housing estates and the outskirts)
CLASS 09: Field trip in Budapest connected to Part II (CHARM-EU online participants will receive all necessary background materials connected to the field trip)
CLASS 10: The ideological use of urban space in socialist and post-socialist societies
CLASS 11: Students’ presentations
CLASS 12: Students’ presentations
At the end of the course, the learner will be able to collect, read and interpret relevant scientific literature in the fields of urban geography, urban history, and urban sociology.
At the end of the course, the learner will be able to understand the urbanisation processes of the socialist and the post-socialist periods.
At the end of the course, the learner will be able to conduct individual research connected to the main topics of the course.
At the end of the course, the learner will be able to prepare and deliver an oral presentation or write an essay on a selected research topic.
At least B1 (but more preferably B2) level English
Andrusz, G. – Harloe, M. – Szelényi, I. (Eds.) (1996): Cities After Socialism. Urban and Regional Change and Conflict in Post-Socialist Societies. Blackwell, Oxford
Czepczyński, M. (2008): Cultural Landscapes of Post-Socialist Cities. Representation of Powers and Needs. Ashgate, Aldershot
French, R. A. – Hamilton, F. E. I. (Eds.) (1979): The Socialist City. Spatial Structure and Urban Policy. John Wiley & Sons, Chichester, West Sussex
Stanilov, K. (Ed.) (2007): The Post-Socialist City. Urban Form and Space Transformations in Central and Eastern Europe after Socialism. Springer, Dordrecht
Sýkora, L. (2009): Post-Socialist Cities. In: Kitchin, R. – Thrift, N. (Eds.) (2009): International Encyclopedia of Human Geography (Volume 8). Elsevier, Oxford, 387–395.
Lectures, interactive activities in classes, screening of relevant short videos, students’ presentations, optional extra consulatations
Transcript of records
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