Revitalization of the historical quarters in Irkutsk.
Date
Location
Study project
Location
Study project
September-December 2018
Irkutsk, Russian Federation
Irkutsk, Russian Federation
Irkutsk, Russian Federation
Irkutsk, Russian Federation
Today, many cities in Russia are forced to adapt to the situation that has developed as a result of the degradation and emptying of historical quarters of wooden buildings. The dilapidation of buildings, the lack of modern communications in them forces people to leave their homes in search of a better place to live. The withdrawal of the population from such areas leads to severe economic and social consequences.
Block No. 131 in the city of Irkutsk is part of the Soldier's Settlement - the place where soldiers settled in the early 18th century for the defense of the city. The mountainous location of the quarter, its distance from the center and proximity to the market determined its content for the next century. There were a large number of apartment buildings and estates on the territory of the quarters. Now many of them have collapsed and disappeared under the onslaught of urbanization, and the territory has gradually declined.
In order to save the central district of the city from degradation, an appropriate strategy was developed. Within its framework, the degenerate blocks with wooden buildings along Podgornaya Street were transformed into a single district, where the cultural life of the city will subsequently be concentrated.
The revitalization plan implements 3 main goals:
1. To preserve and improve the existing objects of the wooden architecture.
2. Create a unique urban environment.
3. Make the area socially attractive.
1. To preserve and improve the existing objects of the wooden architecture.
2. Create a unique urban environment.
3. Make the area socially attractive.
The internal structure of the blocks is no longer readable, it has changed dramatically over the centuries of its existence. Only a couple of crumbling houses remained from the historical environment.
It was decided not to try to restore the lost structure, but to create a unique urban space, a symbiosis of historical buildings and a city park.
The new structure of the quarter assumes free movement on the territory. It was decided to make the adjacent plots built up with barracks and warehouses part of a single plan. Now these are attractive public spaces offering a variety of leisure activities for the residents of the city.
As a result of revitalization, the city will get rid of the neglected, marginalized territory and establish a pedestrian connection between important places of the city. A completely new space will appear, attracting residents and contributing to the enrichment of their walking routes.
