City identities, 12th May 2012

by: Georgi Stankov

"City identities" is my seminar about the links between psychology and architecture. This year the seminar has  had three editions until now, and on the last one luckily we had a photographer with us. The seminar is based in Haskovo but its design and know-how are applicable everywhere.

The hypothesis of "City identities" is simple: as one person has his own personal identity, the city has a unique identity too. Identity is not static - it is dynamic and it is influenced by political, social, economic and cultural events, trends and processes. The seminar's concept is to show how city's identity appears and develops, and to explore the possible futures of the city.

And since I am a huge fan of Jane Jacobs, this seminar was a humble tribute to her and a reflection of Jane's Walk principles.

Follow us with this photo-reportage :)  

May 12th, 2012, Saturday morning: meeting at the City garden.

In the yard of the Orthodox church "Sveta Bogoroditza" (or "Holy Mother" - another name for Virgin Mary).

The old part of Haskovo.

The tobacco warehouses played a major role for the economic development of Haskovo in 20th century. 

The center of  Haskovo is so rich of identities. Monuments and buildings from different historical periods have a date here: Armenian church, Muslim mosques, bourgeois, communist and modern time buildings.  

The headquarter of the Mayor and the local government in Haskovo. The architectural style is mixed because the building was rebuilt again three times (so far).

The legendary Haskovo cinema "Klokotnitza": here in the late 1980's I had watched "The Wall". Great architecture!

The seminar continued with indoor training and practical work about the "Possible futures of Haskovo."
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Note: our partner in the organization and implementation of the seminar was European Integration Agency - Haskovo.