Historical Centers of Small Cities in Slovakia – Problems and Potentials of Creating Livable Public Spaces

Public spaces in the historic centers of small Slovakian cities, including Banská Štiavnica, face significant challenges such as inadequate functionality, poor transit organization, and degraded greenery, reflecting broader issues like depopulation and underinvestment. Despite these problems, these areas retain potential for improvement, offering walkable environments with preserved cultural heritage that could enhance livability if addressed. The study identifies key barriers to creating people-friendly public spaces while highlighting opportunities for pedestrian movement, green infrastructure, and recreational use within accessible central zones.

Kristianova, K., & Jaszczak, A. (2020). Historical Centers of Small Cities in Slovakia – Problems and Potentials of Creating Livable Public Spaces. IOP Conference Series: Materials Science and Engineering, 960(2), 22012. https://doi.org/10.1088/1757-899x/960/2/022012