The Systematisation of the Multicultural Historic City of Kronstadt/Brașov. A Critical Perspective (1921–1965)

Abstract

The multiethnic and historic fortified city of Kronstadt (Brașov1 in Romanian and Brassó in Hungarian – located at the base of the Carpathian Tâmpa Mountains), whose existence is first documented in the 13th century, played a significant role under Hungarian and Habsburg rule (1211–1918) as a border city and centre of trade. Following the First World War and the unification of Transylvania with the provinces of Bessarabia and Bukovina, Kronstadt became part of the Kingdom of Romania in 1918. This chapter discusses the modernisation of the historic city following the territorial and administrative reforms of 1921, which challenged its multiethnic character and built legacy. In this regard, the process of urban systematisation of the historic city, initiated during the Habsburg monarchy (1711–1918) and carried out in the interwar period and the aftermath of the Second World War due to the damage caused by the city bombardments, will be analysed. Overall, this chapter asks how the transformation under various political regimes of the historic multiethnic “Saxon burg” ultimately into an industrial socialist city impacted its built legacy. Particular attention will be given to the (inter)war period and the first decade of the communist regime, when the city was renamed Orașul Stalin (Stalin City) (1950–1960). The study makes use of archival and visual documentation, such as systematisation maps, to highlight significant steps in the transformation of the city from a multiethnic historical settlement into a modern socialist industrial city with potential for tourism development.