Suchergebnisse

Planned housing developments are a new phenomenon in post-Soviet cities – cities marked since 1989 by the rapid and wholesale transformation of housing markets, from a situation of overwhelmingly state-owned provision to the development of real estate markets. In this article I explore how this type of dwelling transforms urban space, reflecting the new provisions in the period, but also revealing a dual relationship with socialist space. Planned housing developments are characterised by the continuity of the 'soviet', i.e. by modern functionalist urbanism's architectural practices; but in their symbolic dimension such developments are also associated with an inversion of collective housing practices. This symbolic aspect of planned housing developments can be described in terms of privacy and sameness. In this article I argue that these housing practices are naturalised and affirmed as desirable through representations of space, including representations produced within marketing, mass media and the legal system. Drawing on the concepts of police, politics and the political developed by Rancière and Swyngedouw, the article raises the question of whether in post-socialist Vilnius these new developments indicate the consolidation of a post-political condition.

The object of this master thesis are sporting mega-events. The research subject: comparison of expected and actual impacts (effects, legacy) of the II European Games held in Minsk in 2019. The goal of this study is to analyze the political, socio-economic, urban and media aspects and effects of the II European Games. The main tasks of the thesis are: reviewing the theoretical literature on the mega-events and their impact on politics, symbolic and real economy of cities and states that host these events; overviewing the issues of mega-events legacy evaluation, their 'soft power' and potential for political legitimization; analyzing the specific context of mega-events held in the countries of the former Socialist bloc; analyzing the political and cultural context of Belarus and image management measures undertaken by the country in the last 10-12 years - including during the World Hockey Championship in 2014; analyzing the process of event organization, specific features of PR-campaign and media-representation of the II European Games based on the official documents and state media; analyzing the range of responses to this event by the international and Belarusian independent media, as well as in social media; conducting and analyzing the expert interviews; analyzing of my own experience as a participant of the II European Games Opening Ceremony. This master thesis can be useful for mega-events researchers and organizers, sociologists, urbanists and cultural studies scholars, PR, media & communication professionals, creative industries actors, journalists and the general public.

The object of this master thesis are sporting mega-events. The research subject: comparison of expected and actual impacts (effects, legacy) of the II European Games held in Minsk in 2019. The goal of this study is to analyze the political, socio-economic, urban and media aspects and effects of the II European Games. The main tasks of the thesis are: reviewing the theoretical literature on the mega-events and their impact on politics, symbolic and real economy of cities and states that host these events; overviewing the issues of mega-events legacy evaluation, their 'soft power' and potential for political legitimization; analyzing the specific context of mega-events held in the countries of the former Socialist bloc; analyzing the political and cultural context of Belarus and image management measures undertaken by the country in the last 10-12 years - including during the World Hockey Championship in 2014; analyzing the process of event organization, specific features of PR-campaign and media-representation of the II European Games based on the official documents and state media; analyzing the range of responses to this event by the international and Belarusian independent media, as well as in social media; conducting and analyzing the expert interviews; analyzing of my own experience as a participant of the II European Games Opening Ceremony. This master thesis can be useful for mega-events researchers and organizers, sociologists, urbanists and cultural studies scholars, PR, media & communication professionals, creative industries actors, journalists and the general public.

Final masterwork analyses the subject of forming urban spaces in central district based upon the principles of regeneration, historical built-up rudiments and fixing the boundaries of fortification system in urban structure of Klaipėda. Regenerated teritories of a city is a sign of metamorphosis effect in urban, cultural, historical, political and social growth needs. Essential land use of city, structural and architectural change of expression is the vanishing point of new qualitative urban fabric formation or deformation stage. The main goal is the proposal of Klaipėda Atgimimo square and access regeneration concept. The term urban regeneration is analyzed, directed and measured. By refering relevant scientific literature the main evaluation criteria frames out spatial structure of morphology, structural and visual elements. The main character of site are the spatial structural elements of H. Manto str. spacial channel, Danė river spatial channel and fortification system spatial channel. On this basis Klaipėda Atgimimo square and its context are analyzed through the scope of structural quality. Valuable and problematic aspects of Danė river segment are pointed out as formants of identity. The identity of site excludes as the main development trend and site model forms – by fixing the structural boundaries with the existing high rise building domination and composition in the central part of Klaipėda. In detail level, Klaipėda Atgimimo square forms by referring urban spatial quality criteria principles, existing urban structural context, values and historical urban structural evolution breakdown by fixing with spatial volume proposal in the square.

Final masterwork analyses the subject of forming urban spaces in central district based upon the principles of regeneration, historical built-up rudiments and fixing the boundaries of fortification system in urban structure of Klaipėda. Regenerated teritories of a city is a sign of metamorphosis effect in urban, cultural, historical, political and social growth needs. Essential land use of city, structural and architectural change of expression is the vanishing point of new qualitative urban fabric formation or deformation stage. The main goal is the proposal of Klaipėda Atgimimo square and access regeneration concept. The term urban regeneration is analyzed, directed and measured. By refering relevant scientific literature the main evaluation criteria frames out spatial structure of morphology, structural and visual elements. The main character of site are the spatial structural elements of H. Manto str. spacial channel, Danė river spatial channel and fortification system spatial channel. On this basis Klaipėda Atgimimo square and its context are analyzed through the scope of structural quality. Valuable and problematic aspects of Danė river segment are pointed out as formants of identity. The identity of site excludes as the main development trend and site model forms – by fixing the structural boundaries with the existing high rise building domination and composition in the central part of Klaipėda. In detail level, Klaipėda Atgimimo square forms by referring urban spatial quality criteria principles, existing urban structural context, values and historical urban structural evolution breakdown by fixing with spatial volume proposal in the square.

The aim of the research is to study the physical and discursive construction and the post-transition(s) heritage of the mass housing era in Europe (1950s-1980s), through the comparative analysis of three cases of study. The objects of the study are the neighbourhoods of Vällingby (Stockholm, Sweden), Lazdynai (Vilnius, Lithuania), and San Polo (Brescia, Italy). The dissertation is structured in three chapters. The first and the second chapters of the dissertation introduce and discuss the historical and theoretical roots of modern urban planning, the golden age of postwar modern mass housing in Europe, as well as the intellectual deconstruction, the decline, and the heritage of the phenomenon. In the third chapter Vällingby, Lazdynai, and San Polo are analysed according to specific criteria. The first criterion of analysis concentrates on the historical and political conditions that fostered the construction; the second focuses on the physical and architectural attributes of Vällingby, Lazdynai, and San Polo; the third criterion of analysis is committed to present the construction of a discourse aimed at celebrating the neighbourhoods after the construction; the fourth focuses on the heritage of the selected cases of study. Within this framework the research is committed to apply the concept of dissonant heritage to the analysis of the legacy of postwar modern mass housing. In particular, the research identifies the obsolescence and the undesirability of the messages embedded in mass housing and the issues connected to class and socio-economic conditions as the main factors of dissonance. Due to the peculiarities of each case of study such factors act with different intensity in Vällingby, Lazdynai and San Polo.

Lithuania is one of the countries that suffers great depopulation. The last decades depopulation tendency is especially evident in Central and Eastern European region. Depopulation is a significant challenge for non-metropolitan cities and their residents, and for decision makers. This article introduces urban shrinkage in Lithuania using a case study of the fourth biggest city and regional centre in Lithuania – Šiauliai city. This chapter is based on the same logic (drivers, consequences and governance) that is presented in the 'heuristic model of urban shrinkage' introduced by a group of German, UK, Poland and other countries' scholars (Haase et al., 2014). The drivers of shrinkage of Šiauliai city fall into three main groups: political, economic and demographic. Even though the urban shrinkage of the peripheral city of Šiauliai is not an exception and it is a well-recognized fact that deindustrialization damaged most European cities, in our case, the pace and circumstances were extreme and so widespread, that only large out-migration could have solved the direct consequences of them. This, however, has caused other long-term problems such as a negative demographic structure, shrinking public service networks, brownfields, and created a negative image, low development potential, and low expectations for a prosperous future. National and Local governments are looking for ways to deal with shrinkage, but so far not very successfully. This article includes quantitative and qualitative analyses: statistics introducing the drivers and consequences of shrinkage, and qualitative information collected via analysing legal documents (strategies, plans, research papers) that the municipality of Šiauliai city presents in its official municipality data base. The analysis of the documents allows making assumptions that the local government clearly understands the current depopulation situation. However, even though the schools, faculties of university, youth institutions are being closed, and aging population compose majority of voters, the local government does not leave the idea to become the city comfortable for young families (Šiauliai city strategic… 2016). In order to accomplish this idea the local government is looking for the ways to attract investment and create working places for young specialists, the public infrastructure is being renovated, green areas redesigned, public transportation network developed. However, despite all those efforts, if the emigration will keep similar trends and immigration will remain low, the city will face the further shrinkage.

Lithuania is one of the countries that suffers great depopulation. The last decades depopulation tendency is especially evident in Central and Eastern European region. Depopulation is a significant challenge for non-metropolitan cities and their residents, and for decision makers. This article introduces urban shrinkage in Lithuania using a case study of the fourth biggest city and regional centre in Lithuania – Šiauliai city. This chapter is based on the same logic (drivers, consequences and governance) that is presented in the 'heuristic model of urban shrinkage' introduced by a group of German, UK, Poland and other countries' scholars (Haase et al., 2014). The drivers of shrinkage of Šiauliai city fall into three main groups: political, economic and demographic. Even though the urban shrinkage of the peripheral city of Šiauliai is not an exception and it is a well-recognized fact that deindustrialization damaged most European cities, in our case, the pace and circumstances were extreme and so widespread, that only large out-migration could have solved the direct consequences of them. This, however, has caused other long-term problems such as a negative demographic structure, shrinking public service networks, brownfields, and created a negative image, low development potential, and low expectations for a prosperous future. National and Local governments are looking for ways to deal with shrinkage, but so far not very successfully. This article includes quantitative and qualitative analyses: statistics introducing the drivers and consequences of shrinkage, and qualitative information collected via analysing legal documents (strategies, plans, research papers) that the municipality of Šiauliai city presents in its official municipality data base. The analysis of the documents allows making assumptions that the local government clearly understands the current depopulation situation. However, even though the schools, faculties of university, youth institutions are being closed, and aging population compose majority of voters, the local government does not leave the idea to become the city comfortable for young families (Šiauliai city strategic… 2016). In order to accomplish this idea the local government is looking for the ways to attract investment and create working places for young specialists, the public infrastructure is being renovated, green areas redesigned, public transportation network developed. However, despite all those efforts, if the emigration will keep similar trends and immigration will remain low, the city will face the further shrinkage.

Lithuania is one of the countries that suffers great depopulation. The last decades depopulation tendency is especially evident in Central and Eastern European region. Depopulation is a significant challenge for non-metropolitan cities and their residents, and for decision makers. This article introduces urban shrinkage in Lithuania using a case study of the fourth biggest city and regional centre in Lithuania – Šiauliai city. This chapter is based on the same logic (drivers, consequences and governance) that is presented in the 'heuristic model of urban shrinkage' introduced by a group of German, UK, Poland and other countries' scholars (Haase et al., 2014). The drivers of shrinkage of Šiauliai city fall into three main groups: political, economic and demographic. Even though the urban shrinkage of the peripheral city of Šiauliai is not an exception and it is a well-recognized fact that deindustrialization damaged most European cities, in our case, the pace and circumstances were extreme and so widespread, that only large out-migration could have solved the direct consequences of them. This, however, has caused other long-term problems such as a negative demographic structure, shrinking public service networks, brownfields, and created a negative image, low development potential, and low expectations for a prosperous future. National and Local governments are looking for ways to deal with shrinkage, but so far not very successfully. This article includes quantitative and qualitative analyses: statistics introducing the drivers and consequences of shrinkage, and qualitative information collected via analysing legal documents (strategies, plans, research papers) that the municipality of Šiauliai city presents in its official municipality data base. The analysis of the documents allows making assumptions that the local government clearly understands the current depopulation situation. However, even though the schools, faculties of university, youth institutions are being closed, and aging population compose majority of voters, the local government does not leave the idea to become the city comfortable for young families (Šiauliai city strategic… 2016). In order to accomplish this idea the local government is looking for the ways to attract investment and create working places for young specialists, the public infrastructure is being renovated, green areas redesigned, public transportation network developed. However, despite all those efforts, if the emigration will keep similar trends and immigration will remain low, the city will face the further shrinkage.

Lithuania is one of the countries that suffers great depopulation. The last decades depopulation tendency is especially evident in Central and Eastern European region. Depopulation is a significant challenge for non-metropolitan cities and their residents, and for decision makers. This article introduces urban shrinkage in Lithuania using a case study of the fourth biggest city and regional centre in Lithuania – Šiauliai city. This chapter is based on the same logic (drivers, consequences and governance) that is presented in the 'heuristic model of urban shrinkage' introduced by a group of German, UK, Poland and other countries' scholars (Haase et al., 2014). The drivers of shrinkage of Šiauliai city fall into three main groups: political, economic and demographic. Even though the urban shrinkage of the peripheral city of Šiauliai is not an exception and it is a well-recognized fact that deindustrialization damaged most European cities, in our case, the pace and circumstances were extreme and so widespread, that only large out-migration could have solved the direct consequences of them. This, however, has caused other long-term problems such as a negative demographic structure, shrinking public service networks, brownfields, and created a negative image, low development potential, and low expectations for a prosperous future. National and Local governments are looking for ways to deal with shrinkage, but so far not very successfully. This article includes quantitative and qualitative analyses: statistics introducing the drivers and consequences of shrinkage, and qualitative information collected via analysing legal documents (strategies, plans, research papers) that the municipality of Šiauliai city presents in its official municipality data base. The analysis of the documents allows making assumptions that the local government clearly understands the current depopulation situation. However, even though the schools, faculties of university, youth institutions are being closed, and aging population compose majority of voters, the local government does not leave the idea to become the city comfortable for young families (Šiauliai city strategic… 2016). In order to accomplish this idea the local government is looking for the ways to attract investment and create working places for young specialists, the public infrastructure is being renovated, green areas redesigned, public transportation network developed. However, despite all those efforts, if the emigration will keep similar trends and immigration will remain low, the city will face the further shrinkage.

The large cities of Lithuania have a varied experience in urban and operative planning. Vilnius, Kaunas and Siauliai had or still have municipal companies, ensuring operative planning, that is the preparation of various level territory planning documents and the monitoring the implementation of their solutions. Because there was no similar structure in Klaipeda all territory planning documents and studies were purchased on the market. It was noticed during the preparation of Klaipeda city municipality strategic plan for the years 2013-2020, that the planning process is inadequately coordinated. Klaipeda city municipality decided to pay more attention to the organizing function in urban planning. For this purpose, a new Urban planning section was created under the Urban development department. The operational guidelines of the new structural subdivision will cover formulating of planning assignments, supervision of the planning document preparation process, public's information and inclusion, discussions about planning solutions and the monitoring of their implementation. All of these stages will involve the community – citizens, businessmen, experts in various fields and politics – as equal partners.

The large cities of Lithuania have a varied experience in urban and operative planning. Vilnius, Kaunas and Siauliai had or still have municipal companies, ensuring operative planning, that is the preparation of various level territory planning documents and the monitoring the implementation of their solutions. Because there was no similar structure in Klaipeda all territory planning documents and studies were purchased on the market. It was noticed during the preparation of Klaipeda city municipality strategic plan for the years 2013-2020, that the planning process is inadequately coordinated. Klaipeda city municipality decided to pay more attention to the organizing function in urban planning. For this purpose, a new Urban planning section was created under the Urban development department. The operational guidelines of the new structural subdivision will cover formulating of planning assignments, supervision of the planning document preparation process, public's information and inclusion, discussions about planning solutions and the monitoring of their implementation. All of these stages will involve the community – citizens, businessmen, experts in various fields and politics – as equal partners.

E-governance is the public sector's use of information and communication technologies for communication. Thus the usability of public organizations websites' is a critical factor for this interaction. While the conceptual framework, technological innovation, services measurement, and management of egovernance have been studied extensively, its' driving factors have not been well understood. The aim of the article is to identify the external factors that influence development of Lithuanian municipal websites. There were investigated correlations between 25 external economic, social, geographic, cultural and political factors and development indexes of municipalities' websites in this study. Disparities of the external factors were analysed and compared in the groups of urban, rural and all municipalities.

E-governance is the public sector's use of information and communication technologies for communication. Thus the usability of public organizations websites' is a critical factor for this interaction. While the conceptual framework, technological innovation, services measurement, and management of egovernance have been studied extensively, its' driving factors have not been well understood. The aim of the article is to identify the external factors that influence development of Lithuanian municipal websites. There were investigated correlations between 25 external economic, social, geographic, cultural and political factors and development indexes of municipalities' websites in this study. Disparities of the external factors were analysed and compared in the groups of urban, rural and all municipalities.

E-governance is the public sector's use of information and communication technologies for communication. Thus the usability of public organizations websites' is a critical factor for this interaction. While the conceptual framework, technological innovation, services measurement, and management of egovernance have been studied extensively, its' driving factors have not been well understood. The aim of the article is to identify the external factors that influence development of Lithuanian municipal websites. There were investigated correlations between 25 external economic, social, geographic, cultural and political factors and development indexes of municipalities' websites in this study. Disparities of the external factors were analysed and compared in the groups of urban, rural and all municipalities.