Also, it helps not to reduce image saturation to zero and have the blocks somewhat decently maintained. A bit of paint makes also a huge difference:

https://bankfoto.info/zdjecia/petrzalka-3/ (Petrzalka, Bratislava)

I love this kind of thread. It always attracts some guy who finds it necessary to point out that in the USSR people had to endure the absolute horrors of having roommates. I think I saw him phrase it as them having "survived" roommates once.

I can think of some things

Left wing ideals implemented by greedy self serving capitalists is more like it.

Right wing architecture

Right wing architecture:

More right wing architecture

It's called city planning. I don't know where this is but the commie blocks where I was born were within walking distance of shops, cafes, schools, had cheap central heating, all had children's parks and green areas between buildings, and public transport to the city center. All at dirt cheap prices since they were not built for profit, and could only be owned by people living in them or rented from the state.

yes: right-wing architecture:

The best architecture isn't politically-tainted, but designed to be beautiful first.

Right wing architecture

It's also not left wing architecture. It's the cross roads of a left wing housing initiative, and a right wing refusal to spend money on the public good. What you get is something akin to unsecured prison architecture.

Leftwing architecture is mixed-use, walkable neighbourhoods and community centers built with artistry in mind. It’s beatiful decor to old buildings that feel lived in. It’s parks and bus stops and bike lanes.

Rightwing architecture is a functionally dead grass lawn and a house so perfect that it feels not only dead, but oppressive. It’s replacing a slightly ugly group of three or four stores with a chain restaurant and a parking that generates less tax revenue for the city than the “shitty” stores did. It’s the old, dilapidated neighbourhood that’s falling apart because the city is too busy spending everyone’s tax money subsidizing the rich neighbourhood, then taking photos of only it and claiming that it’s better. No sidewalks, no nature, no way to get around without a car and nothing to do once you have one except a 45min commute in traffic to get to work.

This architectural style is called, no kidding, Soviet Brutalism, and was the primary architectural style featured in the Soviet Union from the 1950s to the 1980s.

It’s a divergence from Western brutalism, focusing more on utopian and futuristic themes.

So, no, it’s not anything political. It’s a cultural thing.

Boston City Hall, for example:

The campus of the Rochester Institute of Technology, a.k.a. “Brick City”:

Ever seen the cooperate housing developments? No individuality in mcmansions coming in a cul-de-sac to your town.

I upvote this every time it gets reposted.

Commie blocks have had a lot of improvement over the years. I find it interesting how medium-density mixed use zoning in America, and commie blocks in central and Eastern Europe seem to be converging on the same New Urbanist ideals.... also, not sure if this is the best pro-Khrushchyovka content, but I enjoyed Adam Something's take on them.

Just needs a little bit of paint.