To understand people, the land, the trees and by that understanding, continue that which the creator sustains and rejuvenates.
The Szeged greater region consists of the city of Szeged and the area southwards. It also comprises the villages established before the Turkish invasion as well as those villages which were founded after the outpour of people following the Treaty of Karlovac and Pozarevac. The people of Szeged played a crucial role in repopulating Délvidék, especially in the repopulation of the Temes Banat; the villages were founded at that time, inhabited by tobacco-growers from Szeged. The region shows a homogene ethnographic picture; however, each village is a separate ethnographic unit, due to neighbouring ethnicities. From the second half of the 20th century, owing to changes in walks of life and changes in population, the traditional rural image is changing, vanishing more like. That is why it is essential to discover and document this heritage for the future.
Applying the method of Irish architect Mike Shanahan, who made the designing and architectural guidelines of Cork county, the Balaton-felvidék architectural guide was made in 2014, by András Krizsán, Ybl-Award winner architect, in co-operation with numerous experts and sponsored by various organizations. There was a demand in the architect profession, that the work needs to continue in other areas, rich in traditional architecture, as well.
One of these regions, incorporating both countries, is that of Szeged. It is a unique region, as the whole area is connected by a single city, Szeged, which was called home by its population in the beginning of the 20th century. The same farming has been present since the 18th century, proven by the types of houses and property. We can also witness that the houses are partially renovated, modernized, thus their original functions vanishing and becoming obsolete. Sometimes these alterations are carried out cautiosly; however, others spoil the traditional shapes and the functional possibilities because of the urban architectural culture. There are numerous out-of shape, out-of-size houses built nowadays which do not follow the traditional pattern. This duality of the traditional rural environment and the designed, modern area can be well identified in all of the places examined.
The „Guide to the Szeged greater region” was published to stop these unpleasant trends, adjusting to Mike Shanahan’s and András Krizsán’s principle. The work presents the regions’s architecural character based on local research, exemplified by local buildings. It can also be applied to modern day houses. This guide is the mirror of the examined building’s architectural heritage, presenting the traditions and characteristics of the last few centuries; also it directs the architects to design buildings according to local characteristics as well as making them new and exciting. The same priciples can be applied when renovating existing buildings.
