The Development of Intra-Quarter Territories of the Historical Center of St. Petersburg with Consideration of Consumer Activity of the Population

Abstract

Prospects for the development of the historical center of St Petersburg are considered. The specifics of its residential quarters housing are revealed, which occupies more than a thousand hectares and is based on the use of two contrasting morphotypes - exterior and intra-quarter. There is a tendency to use intra-quarter territories for public purposes. The difficulties encountered in the implementation of the variant in which the open courtyards were the key object are analyzed. A tendency for spontaneous privatization and the passive use of household plots are fixed, which results in their exclusion from the urbanization process. Passivity of administrative bodies is noted in the absence of effective financial and legal instruments for regulating urban development The concept of arrangement of intra-quarter passages (a variant of the popular St Petersburg courtyards) is proposed. Their system is designed to compensate for thelow density of the street network in the center of St Petersburg and improve the conditions of pedestrian communications. The basis for the implementation of such projects may be intra-quarter depressive sites. There is a possibility for accommodation of various objects of social infrastructure along the transport routes, designed for the conditions of passing services. It is proposed to take into account the successful experience of entrance courtyards usage on the territory of blocks and the development of roofs for excursions. It is assumed that this approach can attract private investment to rehabilitate depressed areas.