Pripyat was founded in 1970 to support workers of the nearby nuclear power plant. It was designed as a modern city with schools, parks, and cultural centers.
Before evacuation, Pripyat was home to nearly fifty thousand people. Families lived normal urban lives shaped by work, education, and community events.
Following the Chernobyl nuclear accident, residents were evacuated in a short time. The city was left intact, with homes, streets, and public spaces frozen in place.
Today, Pripyat stands as a record of late twentieth century urban life. It helps explain the long term social and environmental impact of technological accidents.