F. Mentényi Klára szerk.: Műemlékvédelmi Szemle 1999/1-2. szám Az Országos Műemléki Felügyelőség tájékoztatója (Budapest, 1999)
MŰHELY - Lampert Rózsa: Óbuda-Újlak rehabilitációja
knowledge of the history and past of this place, and the earlier development plans. On this territory and its close surroundings nine national monuments can be found, but the protection itself has never taken place. Újlak had been permanently inhabited since Roman times and the monuments have continuously been excavated. The structure of settlement and streets preserved their medieval character. The majority of the buildings originate from the second half of 18 th century and they were widened in the direction of the back front. At the end of the 19 th century the inhabitants became impoverished as a result of the vineyards' extinction. Development stopped and Óbuda-Újlak remained a simple village-like settlement, while other parts of the city developed vigorously as a result of uniting Buda, Pest and Óbuda. The inhabitants dealing with viniculture and wine production, entertaining became industrial workers and together with the inhabitants of Óbuda went to work across Margit bridge to the factories of outer Váci street. From the turn of the century on the development of Óbuda and Újlak had been closely related to the Danube bridge connecting with the Pest side. The competitions of 1936 were also mainly dealing with the building out of Árpád bridge's abutment. The plans based on the results of the competition ordered the rebuilding of the territory as well. City guides from the 1700's and later works did not mention Újlak as an important settlement, they were rather stressing its simple, village-like, underdeveloped character. The plans of 1937-38 considered more important to emphasise the city's Roman foundation than the given buildings. The preservation of the one-storied buildings was absolutely not thought of in the 1930's. Contrary to the right criticism of the last fifteen years' town planning and development preservation and creative work was also characterising this period. Showing the past of this part of the city and development plans of this century it is clearly proved that the last few years' result was the concept of preservation of buildings. Earlier ideas were alternately initiating the rebuilding and demolishing of the buildings of the territory. Since 1937 the building prohibition has constantly deteriorated buildings and this could not be changed even by the preservation ideas of the detailed town planning. Unfortunately rehabilitation started simultaneously with the end of the communist era - when everybody thought that anything could be done and it was actually done. This was a period of overdecorated, nostalgic architecture using folk art motifs, but the main reason of development was financial interest. The case of Óbuda-Újlak is not unique, similar trends are characteristic all over Hungary. It got to the centre of interest as a result of the character and importance of the development. The better knowledge of mistakes and results gives hope and example to a more correct finishing of the rehabilitation of Óbuda-Újlak.
