Karel Maier

Abstract

A negative image of Czech housing estates was created in the past. After a period of disinterest on the part of Czech politicians and municipalities in these estates, they and their future in the emerging urban housing markets are becoming an inherent part of housing policies. Ongoing privatization and the ageing of both the populations and physical structures in housing estates are new challenges for municipalities, as well as for residents of housing estates, and may become an issue for the European Union also. The article describes recent changes in, and new problems of, housing estates, as well as identifying new roles for the actors and stakeholders in the upgrading and revitalization of housing estates. It also presents some ideas on how to face the challenges in question.

Keywords: housing estates, urban revitalization, housing policy, Czech Republic

Karel Maier, Czech Technical University in Prague Thakurova 7 CZ 16634 Praha 6