Urban landscape on the Elbe. The reconstruction of Magdeburg and Dresden

Dresden and Magdeburg, together with some other towns, represent special cases in which, during the post-war reconstruction, German Democratic Republic did not deny its past. This was probably because, over time, the two towns had become well known for the splendid atmosphere of their landscapes, and, the reconstruction was based on the idea of preserving or recreating traditional "architectonic accents" or "urban dominances", with the purpose of giving back the two towns their monumental ensemble in which the government had recognized a national value. The intention was also to include the new buildings, in a harmonious way - both from an urban and social point of view, by following the most modern ideas on urban and national growth of socialist society. In both cases, neither of which gave rise to a complete urban renewal, reconstruction was connected to the memory of the traditional urban image and to the effect which historic buildings, like witnesses of the past and of urban symbols, could have on the future Stadtbild. It was as if they also wanted to reconstruct the identity and Geist of the town, with these historic buildings.

Keywords: Landscapes, Reconstruction, Elbe, Magdeburg, Dresden

Claudia Zanlungo, Paesaggi urbani sull’Elba. la ricostruzione di Magdeburgo e Dresda in "STORIA URBANA " 129/2010, pp 87-119, DOI: 10.3280/SU2010-129004