Compatibility, adaptability and use of different types of ground floor houses in 19th century town planning: Case study Subotica

Abstract

A lack of knowledge of the history of architecture and town planning in the 19th century resulted in underrated regard towards this historic period and consequently in a devastation of urban and architectural heritage of the 19th century. This research was intended to clarify some segments of the history of architecture and town planning in the 19th century based on the example of Subotica. Research has shown that the basic types of ground floor houses built during the 19th century in Subotica were mutually compatible and that by a simple addition of rooms on the simple base house, more complex base houses could be built. In the same way rural houses could also be transformed into urban ones. This pattern allowed for utmost rationality of the construction of individual houses as well as of the whole town. The town, due to the application of compatible house plans, reflected a semblance of order which improved year on year, because every house at any given moment represented a finished structure. Simple attachment of building parts also allowed the houses that were located in the middle of the lot to be elongated to the street regulation line. Compatible house plans, as an auxiliary means, facilitated the application of building rules, the realization of regulation plans and provided continuous development of the town of Subotica in the period of over 150 years