Morphological Analyses of Opava and Krnov and Their Position in the European Space

Result code in IS VaVaI

<a href="https://www.isvavai.cz/riv?ss=detail&h=RIV%2F68407700%3A21450%2F25%3A00389001" target="_blank" >RIV/68407700:21450/25:00389001 - isvavai.cz</a>

Result on the web

<a href="https://www.atiner.gr/planning" target="_blank" >https://www.atiner.gr/planning</a>

DOI - Digital Object Identifier

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Result language

angličtina

Original language name

Morphological Analyses of Opava and Krnov and Their Position in the European Space

Original language description

Upper and Lower Silesia held a strategically vital position within the broader European context, evidenced by major historical trade routes such as the Amber Trail and Via Regia. A closer examination of Silesia and the Bohemian Basin highlights the intricate interconnection of these regions via dense trading networks. Following 1742, the formerly unified Silesian territory was divided between Austria and Prussia, positioning the Přemyslid royal towns of Opava and Krnov at the heart of these geopolitical shifts. After centuries of integrated territorial development since their medieval town charters, these rival towns suddenly found themselves at the periphery of new political boundaries. The urban fabric of both towns, established in the 14th century, experienced significant degradation, particularly in Opava during the Second World War, and further transformations due to post-war socialist urban planning and nationalist doctrines. This paper presents detailed mapping and analysis of Opava and Krnov using the methodology of cultural identity attributes (Jehlík et al., 2020), combining urban morphology with heritage assessment. The author’s dual role as the chief architect of Opava since December 2016 and a doctoral candidate at the Czech Technical University in Prague since 2018 provides a unique perspective, bridging academic research and practical urban policy. One of the key research outcomes involves the application of urban morphology tools in the preparation of redevelopment variants for the historically significant but physically erased “town hall blocks” south of Opava’s Upper Square. The results show varying levels of integration of morphological analysis, with specific variants demonstrating improved spatial legibility and continuity with the historical urban tissue. Preliminary space syntax analysis indicates which redevelopment options better reintegrate pedestrian flows and historical axes. These findings will inform decision-making in the current drafting of the Opava Urban Conservation Zone Regeneration Programme (2025–2029), the city’s Spatial Analytical Documents, and the new Master Plan. Moreover, cost-benefit analyses of these variants offer an evidence-based framework for prioritizing heritage-sensitive and sustainable regeneration strategies.

Czech name

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Czech description

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Type

D - Article in proceedings

CEP classification

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OECD FORD branch

20102 - Construction engineering, Municipal and structural engineering

Project

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Continuities

I - Institucionalni podpora na dlouhodoby koncepcni rozvoj vyzkumne organizace

Publication year

2025

Confidentiality

S - Úplné a pravdivé údaje o projektu nepodléhají ochraně podle zvláštních právních předpisů

Article name in the collection

15th Annual International Conference on Urban Studies & Planning. Athens: Athens Institute for Education and Research, 2025.

ISBN

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ISSN

2241-2891

e-ISSN

2241-2891

Number of pages

18

Pages from-to

1-18

Publisher name

the Athens Institute for Education and Research

Place of publication

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Event location

Atény

Event date

Jun 2, 2025

Type of event by nationality

WRD - Celosvětová akce

UT code for WoS article

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