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It was the new way of thinking. Concrete buildings were modern, old stuff was just old stuff. There was no real insight in what highways would mean, it was all
by mpol 5y ago
It was the new way of thinking. Concrete buildings were modern, old stuff was just old stuff. There was no real insight in what highways would mean, it was all new. In Zwolle similar stuff happened. They tore down an old church for a square concrete building (V & D) and there were plans to have the highway run through the historic centre, which was seen as good for the shops. Luckily that highway was diverted to 100m next to the historic centre. That mayor is now known as the "sloopburgemeester" or "tear down mayor".
It is hard to predict the future, but luckily there is now more thought put into which buildings to preserve. But even then I wonder what whill happen to the ugly buildings of the 1960s, will they all be torn apart, or are there some that we already can see as valuable.
- jacquesm 5y agoAnd V&D went bust...
- clydethefrog 5y agoThere is fairly sombering website highlighting all the churches that were demolished during these decades in the Netherlands. Often the reason was "stadsvernieuwing" (urban renewal) and at the location of the church, the contemporary church for capitalism would arise - a shopping mall. http://www.mooistegeslooptekerk.nl/ http://www.mooistegeslooptekerk.nl/
- JackFr 5y agoIt’s very difficult to know what will be valued in the future. In NYC, the World Trade Center was often thought of as an architectural abomination. Two boxes stood on end without soul or character. Once they were gone however (notwithstanding how they were taken down) people had to admit they did have a unique character and were representative of a time and a place. Again in NYC, the beautiful old Penn Station was destroyed to be replaced soulless office towers and a “modern” sports arena. Train travelers were reduced to a rats nest of a filthy underground station. When the developers came for Grand Central Station the public responded with a hearty “NO!” and it was able to be saved. And yet Penn Station does about double the ridership of Grand Central (and according to Wikipedia is the busiest transport hub in the Western Hemisphere.) I guess my point is, we’re all trying to do our best — including city planners past and present — and as times change we should endeavor to continue, but cut some slack to the planners of the past and hope those of the future will do likewise with us.