The redevelopment of historical centres became an important policy field in the era of European
dictatorships following the First World War. At that time historical centres were regarded as
shabby and as tarnishing the desired image of a magnificent new city of a showcase of the
dictatorship. This led to the widespread demolition of older buildings. Historical streets and
squares disappeared and were replaced by new apartments and workplaces for the loyal middle
classes by car-friendly roads and ostentatious new buildings. Nevertheless the redevelopment
of historical centres did not exclusively mean the eradication of the 'old town'. The aim of
the dictatorship in many cases was also the preservation and often the cultic display of
historical testimonials to past greatness. The book presents examples of the redevelopment of
historical centres in Mussolini's Italy (Rome Brescia Bologna Naples) in Stalin's Soviet
Union (Moscow) in Hitler's Germany (Berlin) in Salazar's Portugal (Lisbon Évora Óbidos) and
in Franco's Spain (Madrid Toledo Barcelona Zaragoza Santillana del Mar). These are followed
by a brief summary of the history of the redevelopment of historical centres in Europe. This
volume represents the very first attempt to identify the commonalities and differences in the
redevelopment of historical centres in dictatorships in Europe in the first half of the 20th
century.
