Challenging The City Scale. Ljubljana

Abstract

“Until the eighties, urban planning in Slovenia was largely focused on achieving urban growth by means of large industrial complexes and housing schemes,” explains Matej Niksic, PhD at the Urban Planning Institute of the Republic of Slovenia (UIRS). But the switch to capitalism in 1991 changed urban development issues, explains the architect who also serves as the coordinator of Human Cities activities in Slovenia. “Today most Slovenians dream of a detached house with a garden, while living in the large apartment blocks has lost its appeal.” For the UIRS, the rise of stand-alone houses and the disaffection with the urban heritage of socialist times is a double concern. First, “It leads to a city that is more and more horizontal,” explains architect Nina Gorsic, a team member of Human Cities Ljubljana. “This affects Ljubljana in terms of transportation, the environment, and real estate prices.” Secondly, it harms the quality of life in existing housing. The transition to capitalism has substantially changed the way of life of most Slovenians. “People used to start work at 6 am and finish at 2 pm, they had the afternoon off and families used to gather in the public spaces”, Matej Niksic describes. “Today, offices close in the evening and people don’t spend time outside with their kids anymore. Suburban areas that used to be full of life have now become dormitory places.”