The construction of Košice’s largest housing development called Terasa (Terrace in English) started 50 years ago, primarily to accommodate employees of the new steelworks then called Východoslovenské Železiarne and now named U.S. Steel Košice (USSK).

Gradually, individual buildings within the estate, named from Lunik I to Lunik VIII, were constructed with a total of 13,000 apartments. The complex spans more than 300 hectares and houses over 50,000 Košice citizens or about one quarter of the town’s population, the SITA newswire reported.

Celebrations and activities are planned as a series of events for Košice residents spanning several months. There will be club and local events, a specialised seminar for architects, programmes for civic activists and a large photo exhibition as well as a closing open-air concert.

The aim is not only to mark the 50^th anniversary of the housing development but also to start a discussion about Košice future direction in housing and public participation in improving the life in its housing developments by building better communities that participate in common activities.

An exhibition of historical photos by Róbert Berenhaut and Alexander Jirouš as well as from the city’s archive will open in February and the architectural seminar is planned for April. Some events will also be held during Košice’s summer of culture.

The housing development with the original name Nové Mesto (New City) was constructed on a slope of the city and received its name Terrace because of its view of the city centre.

Caption: Construction of Kosice’s Terasa housing complex began in 1962.

Photo: SITA