Petržalka

Petržalka is the largest prefabricated housing estate in Central Europe, and one of the most ambitious projects of the former Communist regime. Petržalka, situated on the right bank of the Danube, was to be a counterweight to the historic core of Bratislava, a fully valid urban district. However, the generous intentions were only realised in part, lacking the main communications axis with public facilities. Thus the estate has remained until today primarily mono-functional, excessively dependent on the city centre. Its characteristic feature is a complex, open structure of widely spreading blocks of row houses and streets outlined by high “barrier-like” apartment slabs, supplemented by freestanding tower blocks. Located in the area of Petržalka are several recreational areas and sports areas serving the entire city. The majority of the open spaces of the estate are landscaped as park-like greenery and children’s playgrounds. Most notable in the area of Petržalka are the sections of unutilised land, among them areas closed for construction in the vicinity of the originally planned communication axis.