Historical and Contemporary Challenges for Central and Eastern European Cities

This open access edited collection offers interdisciplinary perspectives on cities shaped by shifting borders and contested identities. Rooted in the study of spatial and social re-appropriation, this monograph invites readers to rethink the urban experience in Central and Eastern Europe, a region defined by political discontinuities and rich linguistic and ethnic diversity.

Using the concept of the city as a relational construct that bears the potential to transcend spatial hegemonies, Historical and Contemporary Challenges for Central and Eastern European Cities explores attempts to homogenize, categorize, and eliminate differences in history and present day, while also examining artistic and spatial practices that challenge the former. The essays delve into the interplay between official discourses and marginalized voices that challenge established hierarchies, uncovering both the conflicts and synergies that emerge in multiethnic and multilingual environments. Featuring original research from scholars in history, architecture, cultural studies, and linguistics, this volume highlights the value of interdisciplinary approaches to understanding urban spaces. It offers fresh insights into how Central and Eastern European cities navigate their layered identities, fostering a deeper understanding of the region’s dynamic and complex urban narratives.

The ebook editions of this book are available open access under a CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 licence on bloomsburycollections.com. Open access was funded by Herder Institute for Historical Research on East Central Europe.