Let's go for a walk... (part I)

Well, as suggested in the title, this article is part of a series of reviews concerning the architecture and general atmosphere of different towns and cities as percieved by a passer-by.

I got inspired to write this kind of article during a 45-minutes walk to highschool yesterday. It was a cold, winter-like day ( even though it's the end of March), the overcast sky and freezing wind blows hardly resembling a spring day... Although, I would never say no to a walk, if this fits in with my schedule. I think every aspiring architect should find a special opportunity in such walks, not only for getting fit, as advertised in mass-media, but for casting an eye over the local architecture, urban planning and different practical aspects, to analize and compare with the theory we so much focus on. Architecture is far from concerning theoretical study exclusively, since only by having hands-on experience will you be able to develop your own style and ideas.

For this being the first review, I should start with the first town I came into touch... Stay focused! Today, Pitesti will hog the limelight!

Prundu - 3 years ago

Prundu - yesterday  

 

Prundu - a brief outline

I live in the eastern neighbourhood of Pitesti, Prundu, which I consider, as far as the general appearance is concerned, to be the best area in the town. The blocks of flats were built during 1970s, in the communist period (like almost all the other blocks of flats in Pitesti), this fact being obviously reflected in their architectural style, which is not so attractive. However, many of the 8-floors blocks of flats have had their facades recently renovated - insulated and repainted; for this reason, Prundu is more modern than other neighbourhoods in town. Another advantage is that there are plenty of supermarkets and shops offering a wide range of products. Although situated in the suburbs, it is close to the hypermarkets and has accessible means of transport - modern buses and taxis.

With its vivid atmosphere and the traffic on the main street, Prundu definitely has the 'lived-in' look that makes it a desirable place to live. The old trees running the main street on both sides make a wonderful view in spring and summer; so does the park - well-preserved, clean and easily reachable, with modern playgrounds and a fountain, it is the children's favourite destination, but no less attractive for adults who want to leave behind a stressful workday.

If you get itchy feet, Prundu may be a good choice. It is not spectacular, not even attractive is terms of buildings and landscape. But the feeling of warmth and its quaint charm (if not disturbed by a noisy traffic jam) is what really counts here.

Going further... Fratii Golesti

Let's do our way to the town centre. Once Prundu is left behind, another neighbourhood enters into the passer-by's view: Fratii Golesti. Let's see what feelings someone experiences while crossing this area.

Fratii Golesti is the newest part of Pitesti from those built before 1990. The living space in the blocks of flats is better disposed, so the apartments are quite bigger than in other neighbourhoods. However, apart from this one and the location ( 2 km far from the centre) seems to be no other advantages in living in this area. The neighbourhood severely lacks in supermarkets and other facilities (such as a gym, schools, restaurants) and it always looks barren: no people or children walking on the streets, and the small green area running the rails being wild and neglected. Someone could hardly speak about an architectural style here: a mix of impersonal modern glass-buildings and traditional blocks of flats that simply doesn't match. The ignorance or just the lack of concern on the behalf of local authorities is truly apparent. Moreover, the safety there seems, at least for me, doubtable.

Partially renovated block of flats in Fratii Golesti

'Unexplored wilderness' in Fratii Golesti  ( right)          

Taking into account all this aspects, Fratii Golesti wouldn't be a good choice for those looking for a new home, neither for those who are longing for a walk. Maybe one would appreciate its tranquillity... personally, I don't. Instead of such bareness, I would definitely go for a noisy cramped neighbourhood which at least wouldn't have that bleak appearance, but something to catch your attention and not only to fill your ears with the depressing sound of blowing wind and fast-running trucks in the middle of nowhere.*

These are two neighbourhoods I go through on my way to the city centre, but I should also give a brief outline of the other ones in Pitesti. But this... in the next part of the series ' Let's go for a walk...'.

*Coming back to the introductive part of the article, all is just my personal opinion, an analysis that I consider useful to be made by anyone concerned about architecture, not a general or official opinion.