This catalog is a collection of the tactics used for (de)constructing the architectural memories of Skopje, up until 2015 when this research project was concluded. To explain its intention, here is a selection of quotes-definitions, which explain the meaning of the terms strategy and tactics and the difference between them.
Strategy ○
Strategy is, like tactics, a term from a military context, where it refers to long-term war planning in contrast to short-term, more flexible battle planning. Strategy means an approach that emerges from the planning desk and the sand table; it works from a position of power that is in a position to force its opponents to accept its conditions and to ignore limitations imposed by circumstances. Strategy plans for its own space, and that is a space of autonomy, where the objects, whether enemy soldiers or one’s own, can be maneuvered at will. The urban-planning equivalent of strategy is the master plan.
Tactics ○
Tactics is, like strategy, a term from a military context, where it refers to a short-term battle planning in contrast to long-term, less flexible war planning. Tactics means an approach from the weaker place, which is not in a position to dictate conditions to an opponent but is compelled to try to exploit relationships to its advantage, by waiting for an opportunity and exploiting it flexibly and quickly. Tacticians have to work in others’ locations. The urban-planning equivalent of tactics is temporary use.
Strategy (MG) ○○
(strategy, stratagem and tactic)
The strategy is a logic, the tactic a criterion, the stratagem a means.
Strategy refers to the global logic – an abstract system – capable of directing operations; the tactic is the set of rules and relationships – the operative device – necessary to facilitate their logical evolution; the stratagem is a contingent application, or intelligent instrument.
Tactic (MG) ○○
A tactic is a concrete application of a strategy; A strategy applied by means of cleverness.
“Tactics is knowing what to do when there is something to do. Strategy is knowing what to do when there is nothing to do.” -Savielly Tartakover, Polish Chess Grand Master.“
If a strategy is the general goal, the pre-planned long-term idea, than the strategy of the Skopje2014 project would be the censoring of a certain period in history. The strategy answers the question ‘What?’. What does the Skopje2014 project want to achieve?
By analyzing the affected existing architecture, the answer that emerged is: Forgetting the Socialistic Federative Republic of Yugoslavia as part of Skopje’s history.
The tactics used to complete the general goal on the other hand, would be the answer to the question ‘How?’. How does one forget a specific period of history? By erasing all the visual reminders of it, by deconstructing the architectural memories one carries from that period in history and by constructing/inventing new ones. Specifically about the Skopje2014 project, the answer would be by erasing all of the postwar architecture, built in the time of SFRY and constructing new old-looking architecture as if there has been another course of history.
This is a catalog of the methods, the tactics, the concrete applications of the general strategy, used to erase the visual reminders of the postwar modern architecture, created in the time of SFRY. The examples chosen for every tactic are not the only existing examples in the city, as the Skopje2014 project was still ongoing at the time.
○ Haydn F. Temel R. Temporary Urban Spaces, Concepts for the Use of City Spaces. Birkhauser. 2006.
○○ The Metapolis dictionary of Advanced Architecture. Actar. 2003. pp.573, 609
