The Budapest large housing estate of Óbuda emerged between 1969 and 1975 on the site of the original Roman military camp and later prosperous agricultural and industrial town. In the 1960s, Óbuda town became the target of a socialist government led rehabilitation project, which meant the demolition of almost all original buildings. The old city, however, was not completely demolished, and nowadays its relics together eleven-story panel building blocks create a patchwork.
The article describes the development and image of the housing estate and asks what kinds of social or communal relationships could be found in such specific material conditions. In nineteen semi-structured and go-along interviews with residents, I have been following the local social ties of the inhabitants of the housing estate.
The Óbuda socialist settlement was planned according to the principles of Soviet microraions, but there were not enough resources to the full implementation of the plan in the 1970s. But the infrastructure which was actually built serves as a base for neighborhood communities. The small bars, restaurant, and shops right on the ground floor of panel houses are until today meeting points for locals. The relics of the former town with its generous squares works as a place for local markets and cultural events as well as a local brand. At last, there is a vivid online community which relates to the old town, which was demolished in the 1960s. As the town does not exist physically, the community does not occupy any specific place in Óbuda but works just on the internet.