The dream and nightmare of housing
Gentrification, housing shortages, migration patterns
Barbara Schönig, Martin Ouředniček
Deutsche Fassung
Abstract
Social geographer Martin Ouředniček and Professor of Urban Planning Barbara Schönig analyse the housing needs and aspirations of Czechs and Germans. They examine the parallel trends of suburbanisation and reurbanisation and explore the influence of internal migration and immigration on settlement geography. The discussion centres on affordable housing in university towns, the longing for a house in the countryside, and the regeneration of socialist industrial sites. Schönig states: ‘Simply building more and more won’t help; the question of ownership must be fundamentally addressed.’ Ouředniček regards home-lessness as a central problem and believes local authorities have a duty to act.
(Osteuropa 5-6/2026, pp. 151–164)