The physical organization of Dessau owes much to the legacy of Prince Leopold III Friedrich Franz of Anhalt Dessau and his vision of a city that fosters harmony between humans and nature. As the city has grew over the past two centuries, it’s role as an industrial center and the need for worker housing played a mediating role in housing policy and development. But the events of the 20th century, the functional influence of Bauhaus, the destructive impacts of World War II and Nazi control, and the rigidity of the GDR period each produced new challenges and proposed new solutions to housing in the city. In the 21st century, Dessau continues to cope with the challenges created by the volatile political and social conditions of 20th century eastern Germany, in particular, the decline of its role as an industrial powerhouse. The city that was expanding and building new homes for over a century must now cope with a steady decline in population. As the city addresses these problems, the importance of nature and green space, first introduced by Prince Leopold III in the 18th century, has again returned to the forefront as a vision for the city.
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