The new image of Minsk - inspiration from Prague and Copenhagen

Bc. Anastasiya Vazniuk, BSc

Master's thesis

Abstract:

It is very important for a city that does not have a strong identity to determine the factors that led to reduction of its image in the global market. The study of the past experience of other cities is relevant in this regard, since it can contribute to the process of borrowing successful projects and makes it possible to avoid the mistakes made by urbanists. Thus, this research is aimed at studying and solving urgent problems typical for cities with weak identity, such as erosion of territorial identity, loss of uniqueness of urban space, etc. The choice of Minsk as an object of study is not accidental. It is caused not only by the fact that the urban space of this city remains poorly studied today, but also the real need to develop a new master plan that can in many ways change both the spatial appearance of the capital and the way of life and thoughts of its people. The development of the urban identity is marked by problems identified as reduced recognisability and impaired integrity, expressed by its main elements.The analysis of the urban space of Minsk acquires particular conceptual and methodological importance, since in the theoretical studies of Minsk, the analytical work on understanding its spatial characteristics are intensified. Thus, the determination of causes of Minsk`s weak identity is based on a comparative analysis of the identity differences of three cities in European geographical area – Minsk, Copenhagen, Prague. The basic components of the entire image of cities (such as “Public spaces”, “Parks”, “Streets”, “Landmarks”) are considered. According to the results, the usage of Minsk’s public spaces is avoided, since free access is not promoted, the pedestrian areas are small and design materials, which disintegrate and make the environment less beautiful are implemented, the parks have lack of infrastructure and innovative elements, the heritage has not been yet a priority of preservation in urban policies since post-war time. These are the main drivers, decreasing the identity of Minsk. Results of the assessment showed significant differences between three cities as a result of the differently chosen urban transformation. Minsk is a city almost entirely built in the second half of the twentieth century as one big project with its unique features of the urban environment that meet the needs of Soviet reality make it different than its western neighbours, but influenced by globalisation without reflection of the heritage. This suggests that the Belarusian capital can borrow the ideas of the cities with highly developed urban plan, in particular, the urban experience of Copenhagen which got a truly unique identity with the vision of Jan Gehl, and Prague, which has a more recognizable image in view of the rich preserved past and thoughtful urban planning. For their successful implementation it’s highly important to reflect the historical past.

Keywords

Urban identity, City image, Minsk, Prague, Copenhagen, Spirit of the place

Language used: English

Date on which the thesis was submitted / produced: 18. 4. 2019

Thesis defence

• Supervisor: Ing. Kristina Janečková, Ph.D.
• Reader: Peter Kumble, Ph.D.

Czech University of Life Sciences Prague

Faculty of Environmental Sciences

Master programme / field:
Landscape Engineering / Landscape Planning