Morphotypes of quarters of the historical center of St. Petersburg

Abstract

It is noted that in modern Russian urban planning interest to the potential of quarterly development has increased, and in this regard, it is proposed to take into account the experience of the functioning of this type of residential environment in provincial cities, where it has been actively introduced since the second half of the 18th century. The largest object of research may be the historical center of St Petersburg, formed according to the rules of the "genetic code", which is now considered as a single "environmental area". It is noted that the conducted research of the historical center focused on aesthetics, leaving in the shadows inner-quarter territories, largely due to the fact that active urban planning stopped here a hundred years ago. Turning to the specific level of a particular quarter allows us to clarify the idea of the "completeness" of the historical environment. It is proposed to take into account the objective indicators of the existing development and on this basis to differentiate a vast territory, to highlight characteristic morphotypes. The presented data allow us to distinguish two main areas - the former "city" and the former suburbs and outskirts. The characteristic indicators of the historical buildings of St Petersburg are identified depending on the location of the territorial unit. Examples that allow us to conclude that the development carried out in St Petersburg in the second half of the XIX - early XX centuries led to the formation of a very diverse urban environment are given, and each of the arising quarters has significant functional and planning features. It is noted that when identifying the signs of "St Petersburg morphotypes" it is advisable to take into account not only their spatial organization of the quarters but also the nature of their ties with the urban transport and pedestrian framework.