Warsaw was no vacation, that's for sure. But it wasn't supposed to be. There are several areas of general interest, even though I am most likely not going to work there. (It's too big, too unique in terms of government organization, and too bleak to really enjoy. If you are going to do fieldwork for an extended period, you may as well really like the place.)
1. the ways in which the Ghetto uprising and Warsaw uprising are memorialized in museums and other monuments is very relevant to the ideas I've been thinking about for the past 5 years. Since the destruction of the city follows other, earlier, destructions, there is a lot to tie to with these ideas about memory and ruins.
2. there is a lot of green space. Didn't look like much on this trip due to the March greyness, but it would be worth looking at ideas about green space: is it primarily recreational? Ecological? Aesthetic? What kind of ideology drives its creation and preservation?
3. there are a number of somewhat contested urban renewals: a) the area around the loved/hated "present" from Stalin, the Palace of Science and Culture; b) the university redevelopment down by the river; 3) the ideas about developing more of a city center and more-walkable streets (although those may not be as contested; and 4) the competition for Copernicus Museum, also probably not as contested.
4. real estate development is HOT, although the profit margins were probably higher in earlier years, and the RE ads now are for tertiary markets in Poland, and for retail and high-end housing primarily. Some statistical work is needed to help get the picture here: who can buy all the stuff that's being sold? Who can afford these luxury apartments?
Lots to think about. It may take some time to process it all.
Posted by otto0114 at March 21, 2005 06:25 PM