Political planning and architecture: the sovnarkhoz system and the industrialization of Lithuania in the 1960s
EN[...] In the context of industry and modernism the most interesting and intriguing time for the Soviet Baltic, and for Lithuania in particular, was the sovnarkhoz period of 1957–1965, which was concurrent with the process of cultural and political relaxation. The rapid industrialization of Lithuania can be viewed as a necessary modernization and improvement of an economically backward country. On the other hand, industrialization and the material remains of the period are strongly connected with the totalitarian Soviet regime where industry and architecture were known as a means of colonizing nations and of unifying the built environment. According to researcher Augustine Idzelis, “in terms of Marxist-Leninist thinking, the basis of society transformation is found in the economic sphere, and was predicated on the collectivization of agriculture and accelerated development of industry. It was believed that these two measures would not only integrate the economies of the Baltic States with that of the Soviet Union, but would also promote socialist internationalism”. However it is important to highlight the activities of national(istical)ly driven Baltic countries in the All-Union process of modernization and industrialization, as several authors have indicated. How deliberate and autonomous could the local leaders, industrialists and architects be, in the context of Soviet control? The narrative will examine the political situation and regional planning and will narrow the focus on settlement planning and industrial architecture. [..].
- Istorija, kuria galime didžiuotis: Lietuvos liaudies ūkio taryba 1957-1965. Vilnius : Gairės, 2002. 381 p.
- Lietuva, 1940-1990: okupuotos Lietuvos istorija.. Vilnius : Lietuvos gyventojų genocido ir rezistencijos tyrimo centras, 2007. 720 p.
