Conference The Birth of the Modern City

Faculty of Philosophy of the University of Hradec Králové
Museum of Eastern Bohemia in Hradec Králové
State District Archives Hradec Králové (part of SOA Zámrsk)

are organizing

under the patronage of the Mayor of the City of Hradec Králové, Ing. Otakar Divíšek on the 4th and 5th of November 2009 an interdisciplinary scientific conference

THE BIRTH OF THE MODERN CITY (1890 – 1939)

In 2009, Hradec Králové commemorates the round anniversaries of the birth and death of its long-time mayor, politician, lawyer, and poet, JUDr. František Ulrich (1859–1939). It was under his leadership that the city transformed at the end of the nineteenth century and in the first decades of the twentieth century into a modern city and an important center of social and economic life. This fact has prompted the attempt to place this transformation into a broader historical context through a scientific conference.

The aim of the upcoming meeting is to evaluate the paths taken by selected urban centers that dealt with the remnants of the nineteenth century and the new demands of the emerging twentieth century during the monitored period. We therefore present a joint search for answers to questions such as what the economic, social, and urban development of cities that were significant regional centers during this period, or aspired to become so, looked like.

What role did urban elites, personalities in local government, and their inhabitants play in the process of modern development? How did cities proceed with the demolition of walls, the elimination of fortification restrictions, and the use of land? Was the approach in accordance with contemporary demands according to generous urban planning principles everywhere, or did spontaneous development prevail? Was modern architecture received with understanding by the contemporary inhabitants, or was it necessary to overcome the distrust of a small-town mentality? How did the urban planning efforts of this epoch influence the later face of cities up to the present day? Which architectural personalities most markedly influenced the transformation of cities? These are just some of the topics that will become the subject of interest for speakers and listeners during both conference days.

The conference will take place in the building of the Museum of Eastern Bohemia, designed by architect Jan Kotěra, which represents one of the most significant architectural works of this period not only in Hradec Králové. The program will also include a social evening inspired by the time of František Ulrich.

We would be pleased to welcome you in the auditorium of the lecture hall and at the social evening, which will take place on November 4th. If you are interested in participating in the conference, please fill out the registration form and send it electronically to the email address: konference.ulrich@seznam.cz, or by post to the address: Museum of Eastern Bohemia, Eliščino nábřeží 465, 500 01 Hradec Králové 1.

All necessary information, including the program and registration for listeners, can also be found on the conference website http://konferenceulrich.webnode.cz/.

We look forward to your participation

Mgr. Petr Grulich, Ph.D., Faculty of Philosophy, University of Hradec Králové   
Mgr. Radek Pokorný, State District Archives Hradec Králové
PhDr. Zdeněk Zahradník, Museum of Eastern Bohemia in Hradec Králové