Roma: Inside one of the biggest slums in Europe

Historical Context of the Roma

The Roma are an ethnic group of people, who originated in Northern India (Punjab and Rajasthan regions) and a habitually wandering lot, mainly in Europe. The Roma started migrating to Europe and North Africa after being driven away by the existing caste system in India in which they occupied the lowest class/position but also faced discrimination, marginalization, and persecution in Europe as well. From their arrival in Europe centuries ago, they have faced systematic oppression and forced integration and have always been excluded from mainstream society. This may be because they never identified themselves with a territory, had no tradition from ancient history, and were very distant from their homeland from which their ancestors migrated and hence were discriminated and poorly treated as a result of their isolation and segregation from the rest of the people. These historical injustices have contributed to the socio-economic disparities evident in Roma communities today, including their disproportionate representation in slums. 

Architectural Significance of the Roma

The architectural significance of the Roma people lies not only in the physical structures that they live in but also in the cultural, historical, and social aspects integrated with their built environment. In Europe, the architectural heritage reflects nomadic traditions and represents the resilience of the Roma people. Since the Roma people have a rich, long-standing tradition of nomadic living, traditional Roma dwellings were designed to be portable and lightweight, to reflect a deep connection to nature, and to prioritize sustainability while simultaneously being suitable to local climates, materials, and allowing for easy transportation across various landscapes. A Vardo (Gypsy Wagon) is a four-wheeled horse-draw vehicle used by the Roma people as their homes as they settled in different regions of Europe. A Vardo was designed with big wheels on the outside, canvas stretched over curving wooden frames, and some wood roofs, making it an extremely ecological way of living as they were horse-drawn and used no fuel or chemicals.

Many Roma settlements also incorporate elements of vernacular architecture, such as earthen construction, open courtyards, and thatch roofing in their building techniques, which are a reflection of local building traditions and ecological knowledge, hence forming a greater link with the surroundings. This connection is further developed as Roma architecture also imbues symbolic meanings and cultural significance, exhibiting spiritual beliefs, historical experiences, and social structures of the Roma community. Floral motifs, geometric patterns, and religious symbols aid in creating vivid visual expressions of identity and belonging. These additions not only beautify the built environment but also reinforce the resistance of the Roma to survive despite facing assimilationist pressures. 

Inside one of the biggest slums in Europe

Tucked in the southwestern suburbs of Slovakia’s second-largest city, the Lunik IX district in Kosice is considered home to more than seven thousand Roma. The secluded and deserted enclave is one of Europe’s largest Roma slums. This city was chosen because it had the highest population of Roma people and the Lunik IX district was originally intended as an experience of integration of the Roma people to accommodate in particular soldiers, police officers, and Roma people. The wards were completed, and the apartments were occupied in 1981 by a mix of Roma and non-Roma people but have only been strictly inhabited by Roma people since 2001. Lunik IX is the municipality with the highest population density in Slovakia and living conditions get worse day by day. Unofficial estimates suggest that at one point, Lunik IX housed more than 11,000 people, which meant having 30-40 people in three- or four-bedroom flats. An unemployment rate of more than 90 percent in the region itself makes the overcrowding setting worse than compared to less than 6 percent in the whole of Slovakia.

The architecture of the Lunik IX district is characterized by congested and wrecked housing conditions, exposing years of poverty and neglect. The majority of the dwellings were constructed in the communist era with prefabricated concrete panels and have gotten worse over time due to the lack of investment in improvement and maintenance. In addition to this, the lack of basic amenities such as running water, heating, sanitation facilities, sewerage and garbage systems and the physical layout of the place, characterized by narrow streets and minimal green spaces, further exacerbates the challenges faced by the residents of Lunik IX and continues to contribute to a sense of confinement and isolation. This overcrowding in the living spaces with issues of inadequate insulation and scanty ventilation, combined with very poor hygiene, has also caused frequent epidemic outbreaks from head lice to hepatitis.

The architectural challenges faced by the residents of Lunik IX are a reflection of broader structural inequalities and systemic barriers to social and economic inclusion. Addressing these challenges would require a rounded and holistic approach that integrates all from urban planning to social welfare. These initiatives should include the implementation of the rehabilitation of existing housing, upgrading insulation, heating, and sanitation systems, and the improvement of public infrastructure, for example, roads, lighting, and sidewalks, which can help to enhance the quality of life for the residents. A visit by Pope Francis in 2021 assisted the community of Lunik IX in taking the initiative to better their living conditions as they cleared piles of garbage around the apartments that started to reach the height of the first floor, reconstructed the roads and pavements, and also painted a flower mural on one of the apartments between the cracks in the walls; symbolizing the beauty and tenacity of the people to find their way even in difficult conditions.

In addition to physical improvements, the underlying socio-economic disparities faced by Roma communities in Lunik IX also need to be addressed by social policy interventions. An example of this could be the investment in education and vocational training programs, which would help to empower residents with new skills and qualifications, which would help them in terms of employment opportunities, hence helping break the cycle of poverty in this district. Furthermore, measures to fight discrimination and promote social inclusion are also very important to be able to foster a more fair and organized society.

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