Institute of Contemporary History

In his memoirs, the architect Blahomír Borovička recalls two decades (1971-1988) of presiding over a state-socialist planning bureau that executed the most radical transformation of city of Prague in its history. Edited by historians Martina Koukalová (IPR) and Petr Roubal (USD), the memoires offer in depth look into the intricate decision-making processes under state socialism in which party politics intersected with the interest of local officials and urban planning experts. Borovička provides invaluable insight into planning of the mammoth and often highly controversial projects of socialist capital such as Prague underground, large housing estates, redevelopment of Belle Epoque quarters or a motorway through city center.

KOUKALOVÁ, Martina – ROUBAL, Petr (eds.): Blahomír Borovička. Vzpomínky hlavního architekta Prahy. Praha: Ústav pro soudobé dějiny AV ČR, v. v. i., 2023. 303 s. ISBN 978-80-7285-282-6