Wikipedia
is a colloquial term in Czech and Slovak for a panel building constructed of pre-fabricated, pre-stressed concrete, such as those extant in the former Czechoslovakia and elsewhere in the world.
[plural: ] is derived from the standard or meaning, literally, "panel house / prefabricated-sections house". The term "panelák" is used mainly for the elongate blocks with more sections with separate entrances – simple panel tower blocks are called "věžový dům" (tower house) or colloquially "věžák". The buildings remain a towering, highly visible reminder of the Communist era.
According to census statistics, around one in three Czechs still live in a . Similar buildings were built in all communist countries, from Poland to Mongolia. There were also attempts to introduce similar structures as public housing in the United States (see Pruitt–Igoe and Cabrini–Green), but almost all ended in failure – some in disaster.
Panelák is a Slovak daily television series that has been run since February 18, 2008 on TV JOJ.