Reconstruction of the Historic City of Vukovar after the Croatian War of Independence. Model review and methodological aspects Cover Image

OBNOVA POVIJESNE URBANE CJELINE VUKOVARA NAKON DOMOVINSKOG RATA. Kritika modela i metodološki aspekti
Reconstruction of the Historic City of Vukovar after the Croatian War of Independence. Model review and methodological aspects

Author(s): Ariana Štulhofer, Zlatko Karač
Subject(s): Cultural history
Published by: Institut društvenih znanosti Ivo Pilar
Keywords: Vukovar; Croatian War of Independence; urban reconstruction; historic buildings; conservation methods

Summary/Abstract: After preliminary concepts of rebuilding Vukovar conceived during the occupation of the city, physical reconstruction has been taking place since the spring of 1998. In the past ten years many weaknesses of the incomplete and disorganised model of reconstruction have surfaced – such as the absence of a holistic urban planning procedure (based for example on the inter-national experiences of great reconstructions after the 2nd World War), failure to carry through planning regulations and set the proper priorities, as well as care about the quality of work carried out due to keeping exclusively to the lowest possible tender offers in choosing architects and builders (expert references have not been accepted as the decisive criterion). A satisfactory level of restoration of historic buildings or high quality architectural achievements in some of the contemporary interpolations are the result of high standards set in the process of reconstruction by the heritage protection authorities. Restitution of the historical centre of Vukovar has proven to be an extraordinary conservationist practice ground for simultaneous assessment of different methods of reconstruction: a) classical conservation-restoration reconstruction, b) facsimile reconstruction, c) reconstruction through contemporary interpolations, d) reconstruction through correction of dimensions and form, etc. However, in places of destroyed popular or ambient architecture, huge stretches of insignificant individual housing settlements have risen (mostly of rural typology!), restored according to the normative of family size and social rights, and not the criteria of urban quality and historical spatial context.

  • Issue Year: 17/2008
  • Issue No: 93+94
  • Page Range: 149-170
  • Page Count: 22
  • Language: Croatian