Rudolf Klein - New Leopold Town

An Urban Historical and Architectural Study

This lecture presents the Újlipótváros, or the New Leopold Town, in Budapest, one of the most important modern Jewish quarters in Europe, built between World War I and II. Újlipótváros is a unique settlement, a little ‘town in town,’ set along the left embankment
of the Danube River.

With its main square, main street, luxurious cafés, hidden synagogues, Újlipótváros has been home to many prominent Jewish intellectuals in the past 80 years. Emancipated Jews chose to build their houses in an easily recognizable modern style that highlighted their liberal leftist values, as opposed to the conservative, anti-modern spirit of interwar Hungary.This lecture gives a brief survey of the urban development of the neighbourhood in the context of the Hungarian capitol from mid-19th century, when first buildings appeared, to the present day.

The lecture’s emphasis is on the analysis of modernist style of the neighbourhood and its variations, the functional arrangement of the housing blocks, the public buildings, squares, urban views and historic message. Present state, changes since construction will be also addressed. Text: Rodolf Klein

Rudolf Klein
Professor für moderne Architekturgeschichte an der Ybl Miklós Faculty of Architecture and Civil Engineering, Budapest. Professuren an der Novi Sad University, Hebrew University, Kyoto University of
Technology, Department of Architecture, Bezalel Academy of Arts and Design, Department of Architecture und an der Tel Aviv University sowie der David Azrieli School of Architecture.