"Our city is like a neglected child. It’s been growing, but not developing," said architect Matúš Vallo in 2017.
Bratislava — a post-communist capital like Yerevan — spent years with potholes, tangled traffic and billboards draped over buildings. In 2018, architect Matúš Vallo ran for mayor with a practical manifesto already written: Plan B — a 304-page roadmap for a city that works for people.
From paper to pavement
Plan B spans everything from architecture to social life. Its spirit is simple: tidy up what we have, set clear standards, and give streets back to people.
Decades of neglect left capital of Slovakia stuck. The new administration began overhauling how the city is managed — not with grand gestures, but with consistent, visible improvements.
Less cars, more city
The long era of car dominance is ebbing. Parking stripes and wide carriageways are giving way to cycle lanes, meeting places, playgrounds and green zones. Roads are narrowed, speeds reduced, crossings improved — and pedestrians are safer for it.
City for people
“City for People” became the motto. Public spaces are being made more attractive, family-friendly and safe: cleaner pavements, better lighting, more benches and trees.
By adding a few kerbs and stone slabs, we get high-quality result.
Small budgets, big impact
COVID-19 hit municipal finances hard, yet the city pushed on with low-cost fixes: repainting lanes, planting, adding seating, enforcing clutter rules — and sometimes simply cleaning properly.
What this shows — for Bratislava, and for cities like Yerevan
Four years into Vallo’s term, many of the changes look set to outlast a single electoral cycle. The lesson is clear: we need competent management and expert input as much as money. When authorities listen to specialists and prioritise people over parked cars, neglected corners turn into places you want to linger.
Bratislava proves that little things matter — and that even in post-communist cities like Yerevan, modest, well-chosen steps can add up to a city that feels newly cared for.