Beyond the curtain: the impact of political non alignment on the urban reconstruction of Skopje

Elena Andonova and María Cristina García González

Planning Perspectives, 2025, vol. 40, issue 1, 165-184

Abstract: This paper explores the reconstruction of Skopje following the 1963 earthquake, focusing on the interplay between productive conditions and temporal factors that shaped the city's transformation. The research examines how the earthquake, a critical juncture in Skopje's history, catalyzed profound urban and institutional changes, influenced by the Cold War's geopolitical landscape. The idea of ‘nonaligned modernism’ facilitated a convergence of international expertise, as demonstrated by the involvement of prominent teams like Doxiadis Associates and Polservice, and the strategic decisions of the International Board of Consultants (IBC). The paper reveals that the reconstruction process was not just a physical effort but a complex negotiation of institutional, cultural, and geopolitical factors. It highlights how the timing, sequencing of decisions, and the availability of global resources and expertise were crucial to the project's execution. Through a detailed analysis of the reconstruction phases, the strategic decisions made, and the international collaboration involved, this research underscores the significance of aligning productive conditions with temporal factors in shaping the outcomes of urban reconstruction efforts. The Skopje case exemplifies how crises can drive transformative change and set precedents for future international collaborations in urban planning.

Date: 2025
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DOI: 10.1080/02665433.2024.2435608

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