Social significance of cooperative homes in the post-socialist context

In: Zbornik Matice Srpske za društvene nauke: Proceedings for social sciences, Heft 159-160, S. 947-960

Abstract

Mass construction of cooperative homes in the territory of ex-Yugoslavia at
the end of the WWII represented a first step in the general socialist
transformation of villages. As the engines of social and cultural life in
rural regions, these facilities were situated in central locations in
settlements. These were the first multi-purpose buildings, and their
architecture reflected the values of socialist ideology that was supposed to
be adopted in the following period. Later, when these values became obsolete,
it was considered that all principles of the socialist model of planned
organization of rural settlements should be rejected, thus letting the
heritage of this period of time, regardless of its contribution, fall into
disrepair. Cooperative homes represented the linchpin of the planned
organization of rural settlements, belonging to the practice of fast and
reckless urbanization of villages. A large number of these buildings built
throughout ex-Yugoslav republics today represent a specific challenge from
the aspect of their repurposing. This research paper, hence, aims to review
the options for their potential redeployment and inclusion in modern social
trends.