Spatial aspects of the socio-cultural local context in post-socialist urban planning

The paper discusses the effects of the 'transition' period in CEE on the existing social and urban fabric of the settlements. It argues that the degree of applicability of European participatory planning approaches to sustainable development will depend on the development of new communication instruments to provide for the democratization of the planning process. The wholesome shift of the dominant patterns in post-socialist urban planning towards decentralization should incorporate a greater sensitivity for the peculiarities of the local social, cultural and spatial context. Based on the results of current research work, the need for introduction of socio-cultural indicators in appreciating urban sustainability is substantiated.