In the 1970s, Prague’s Žižkov district was slated for a complete overhaul. The plan was to replace the existing homes with modern apartments and prefabricated buildings designed by the SIAL studio. This vision was championed by industrialists and manufacturers who hired photographer Pavel Štecha to document the area’s condition. Though, Štecha’s photographs, which starkly depicted the dilapidated buildings and challenging social conditions, had an unintended result.
Instead of garnering support for the redevelopment, Štecha’s images were interpreted by some as evidence of speculative investment that had led to overcrowding in Žižkov. State socialist urban planners, meanwhile, struggled to envision how homes with adequate sanitation coudl fit into their vision of a modern socialist city. Consequently, post-war urban plans consistently assumed that Žižkov would be demolished.
A new online exhibition,”The Night Before Hygiene,” curated by Petr Roubal from the Institute of Contemporary History of the Academy of sciences of the Czech Republic,sheds light on this controversial period. The exhibition explores the events leading up to the resignation of “bulldozer urbanism” leader, architect Marie Hubíková, in 1989.
“I was drawn to this exhibition by the idea that the widespread demolition of Žižkov is partly symbolic of the regime’s downfall,” Roubal explained. “It exposes the weaknesses of the entire economic model built on centralized planning.” He added that sources reveal both planning and party authorities were deeply concerned about the proposed plans, and that financial constraints further hindered the project’s progress.
Pictures Changed Everything
Plans to demolish Žižkov had been circulating since the 1950s. However, the pressure to act intensified after several houses near Olšanské náměstí collapsed due to a new cable connection to the now-defunct Central Telecommunication Tower (nicknamed “Mordor”).Experts then decided that the entire area, from Barikad Square to the U bulhara intersection, should be razed. Several architectural studios were involved in developing plans for the modern change, including the Society of Engineers and Architects in Liberec (SIAL).
“SIAL’s design aimed to be as modern and sensitive as possible,” Roubal explained. “It envisioned a gradual relocation of residents and integration with public transportation. Architecturally, however, Žižkov would have been largely unrecognizable. Modernist architects like Otakar Binar and Pavel Hubáček, who were involved in the project, saw little value in the existing working-class buildings.”
The exhibition, which has been five years in the making, offers a fascinating glimpse into a pivotal moment in Prague’s history, highlighting the complex interplay of social, political, and architectural forces that shaped the city’s landscape.
You can explore the “The Night Before Hygiene” exhibition online at https://instituteofcontemporaryhistory.exposure.co/predvecer-asanace.
In the heart of Prague, a debate raged in the 1960s about the fate of the Žižkov district. Some architects believed that demolishing the area would be a greater loss than gain, citing the unique character and “loci of genius” captured by photographer Pavel Štecha.
Architect Zdeněk Zavřel, tasked with overseeing the renovation and new construction at SIAL, invited the young Štecha to document the area. “His role was interesting as it was, on the one hand, a result of the plans for the rehabilitation of Žižkov - he got a paid job,” explains Roubal, highlighting the importance of Štecha’s work for the then-FAMU student. “It was a big place for him.”
Štecha’s photographs provided a valuable record of Žižkov’s social and physical landscape before the planned transformation. His work captured the essence of the community, it’s challenges, and its unique character, offering a glimpse into a bygone era.
In the heart of Prague, a captivating photographic exhibition unveils a poignant glimpse into the lives of Žižkov residents during a pivotal period of urban transformation. Pavel Štecha’s lens captured not only the architectural details of their homes but also the vibrant social fabric that wove thru the neighborhood’s streets.
Štecha’s photographs, showcased in the exhibition, offer a unique perspective on the proposed redevelopment of Žižkov in the 1960s. ”It is indeed amazing how Štecha’s approach to the subject…completely changed my previous way of thinking about the reconstruction of Žižkov,” remarked Zdeněk Zavřel, the architect responsible for studying the SIAL project.
Štecha’s images powerfully conveyed the deep connection residents had with their neighborhood, prompting some architects to question the wisdom of widespread demolition. “The pictures showed the strong relationship the residents had with their neighborhood and the political risks of widespread sanitation,” explained Roubal, a historian specializing in Prague’s urban development.
“The whole family lived in one-room apartments, and several of them lived together in multi-room apartments. everyone with housing according to the new socialist standards,” Roubal added, highlighting the social dynamics captured in Štecha’s work.
The exhibition serves as a powerful reminder of the human stories behind urban planning decisions, urging viewers to consider the impact of such transformations on communities.
## Saving Žižkov: An Interview with Petr Roubal on the “Night Before Hygiene” Exhibition
**World Today News:** Petr, thank you for joining us today. Your online exhibition, “The Night Before Hygiene,” explores the controversial plans to demolish PragueS Žižkov district in the 1970s. what sparked your interest in this particular episode of Prague’s history?
**Petr Roubal:** The idea that the widespread demolition of Žižkov became a symbol of the regime’s downfall really drew me in. The exhibition exposes the inherent weaknesses of their centralized planning model. Plans for demolition existed since the 1950s, but the urgency intensified after building collapses and the involvement of influential architects like Otakar Binar and Pavel Hubáček.
**World Today News:** You mention the photographs of Pavel Štecha. How did his work influence the course of events surrounding Žižkov’s redevelopment?
**Petr Roubal:** Štecha’s photographs were intended to document the condition of the buildings and social conditions for industrialists who wanted to redevelop the area. But once those pictures were released, they were interpreted by some as evidence of neglect, overcrowding, and speculative investment.
State socialist planners were torn because they had a very specific vision for a modern socialist city with adequate sanitation. Ironically, fitting those ideals into Žižkov proved very difficult. Consequently, the demolition plans became somewhat of a self-fulfilling prophecy – the area was deemed unfit due to the very conditions highlighted by Štecha’s lens.
**World Today News:** SIAL’s proposed designs effectively aimed to erase Žižkov’s existing character. Can you elaborate on their vision for the district?
**Petr Roubal:** SIAL’s design was, in their view, modern and sensitive. They envisioned a gradual relocation of residents and seamless integration with public transport. Architecturally, though, Žižkov would have been unrecognizable. They viewed the existing working-class buildings as having little intrinsic value.
**World Today News:** Your exhibition is titled “The Night Before Hygiene.” What’s the story behind this evocative title?
**Petr Roubal:** It plays on the irony of the situation. The proposed demolition was justified in the name of hygiene and modernization. Yet, the state officials themselves were deeply concerned about the plans. Financial constraints and logistical challenges also hindered the project.
**World Today News:** Now that the exhibition is online, what do you hope visitors will take away from it?
**Petr Roubal:** “The Night Before Hygiene” goes beyond being a picturesque look at a bygone era. It offers a nuanced portrayal of how social, political, and architectural forces intertwined.Visitors will gain a deeper understanding of the complex factors that shaped Prague’s urban landscape – and perhaps, draw parallels to similar struggles taking place in cities around the world today.
**World Today News:** Thank you, Petr, for sharing your insights on this engaging chapter in the history of Žižkov and Prague.
**(World Today News encourages readers to visit the ”The Night Before Hygiene” online exhibition at
