EN
In 2008 Praga - today a district of Warsaw on the right-bank of the Vistula - celebrated 360th anniversary of receiving municipal rights. Even in the present day this part of the city, just a kilometre-and-a-half away from the Royal Castle across the river, differs from the left-bank Warsaw in terms of urban environment, the type of development, the prestige and social climate. The only Warsaw district not razed to the ground in the hecatomb of World War Two, as was the left-bank Warsaw, Praga has retained the historical climate from before the war, which gives it a unique character. Left without repair and maintenance for many years, it has been falling into decay. In early 1990-ties Warsaw municipal activities became interested in revival initiatives undertaken in old housing districts of Copenhagen. They assumed that the methods used in Denmark could be reapplied in Warsaw. They established cooperation with Danish agency MAA, and with the assistance of Danish consultants gathered, analysed and developed information on the condition of the existing housing blocks designated for renovation, on the basis of which the full renovation (revival) programme of the district would be developed. Selected for pilot implementation was the block in central Praga delineated by the streets: Targowa, Kłopotowskiego, Jagiellońska and Al. Solidarności. The project was discontinued after two years, due to insurmountable organisational and financial difficulties. Even though only a part of the block renovation was ultimately completed (two tenement houses at Targowa were renovated: Nos. 69 and 71), the „Danish quarter" project can be considered the first attempt at revival in early 1990-ties in right-bank Warsaw. The idea of approaching Danish operators shows that the issue of revitalising the city structure is dealt with in the European context.