Vol 1, No 4 (2016)

This article follows the discussion opened by Repina E. A., Rybakova D. I. «Man and microdistrict: problems», published in No. 2 of this journal. The previous paper raised the issues, whereas the present paper gives answers to the main questions.

The article investigates the historical memory as a component of the permanent urban structure and considers socio-humanitarian and urban concepts of memory in the context of analytical models of the city. The concept of urban locus is proposed as a model capable to secure memory in the city structure and ensure its research and design potential. The article describes the criteria, the superposition of which allows to identify potentially persistent points of urban structure - urban loci. The authors suggest that the creation of an urban loci system can provide the urban structure survivance.

The article is devoted to the research of utopian and pragmatic trends in modern strategies for the development of megapolis and its manifestation in the architecture of global cities. The purpose of this work is to determine realizable vectors for the development of megapolises for Russia. The immediate objective of the research is to identify factors that contribute to the realization of perspective decisions that ensure the sustainable and integrated development of a global city. Also the article considers the specificity of megapolises, distinctive signs of agglomerations and megalopolises. The actual development trends are compared and exemplified by Houston city. As a result of the research, the article reveals the significance of crisis conditions as the dominant condition for the realization of the utopian component of the planned development strategy. The authors conclude that there is the possibility of using such utopian strategies for the development of megapolises for Russia and the regions.

The article is devoted to inductive approach in the organization of spatial structure of the city and its subject content as alternatives of the second half of the XX century of traditional «theoretical town-planning model» which has developed in architectural and town-planning practice, based on the general scientific principle of deduction. The authors consider the prerequisites of its formation originating in environmental approach of the 1980th. Inductive approach in the organization of the subject and spatial environment of the city (inductive town-planning model) is the cornerstone in the principle of ergocentrism (ergonomics + centrism) as the doctrine of shaping in design of post-industrial society.

The urban space of the megapolis is used unevenly: the nuclei, linear and network structures are allocated in the most developed territories. Two more archetypes of MACRO space are distinguished in the city: closed areas of «Enclaves»; and generally recognized areas of the «Districts», which do not always correspond to the administrative division of the territory in addition to the «Regions», around the foci of public life and transport hubs. «Enclaves», «Regions» and «Districts» are structural elements of the MACRO-level urban environment, which differ in terms of accessibility and connectivity. The authors suggest that planners and designers should consider different approach for public spaces and local centers according to these three basic topological models. The article provides theoretical background for the socio-cultural differentiation of the program and location of public centers depending on their orientation to different territorial groups of the population. The concept is based on publications on micro, meso, macro space in the journal AMIT (2014, 2015 and 2016), as well as the thesis conclusion, made by Evseeva O. (2005) «Socio-territorial communities under the conditions of transformation in Russia: the sociological analysis of experience».

The level of architectural safety and comfort depends on the ability to observe the site and to make the assessment of the current situation. The question is how to assess the need for «transparency» of the architecture and to choose the appropriate circulation models in the particular case. The objectives of the article include comparison between different circulation patterns, studying the correlation of the accessibility of space and its transparency and revealing the role of visual communication in defense of various types of spaces from criminal acts. The study of approaches in crime prevention through environmental design from the point of view of visual connection can help to choose appropriate architectural means in creation of safe buildings adequately.

The article is devoted to the development of theatre architecture as well as its change under the influence of information era when media technologies actively intrude into all spheres of life. The author analyses the structure of entertainment objects. The paper considers the dynamics of theatre building structure in the context of changing and stable elements. The research also shows the progress of a form change in the interior of “theatrical space”and the space of «a spectator complex» with the help of transformation of changing and stable elements of entertainment objects structure. Media theater is new structure and form of the theatre. The author considers the principles of modern multimedia theatre

The article is devoted to the problem of sustainable development of cities and settlements, which can be achieved only through the principles of compatibility with the natural complex of the region. The author shows the ways of solving this problem by the example of ecological and town-planning development of the territory of the Volga-Akhtuba floodplain, which is a huge green oasis between the rivers Volga and Akhtuba. In conclusion, the author formulates the principles of sustainable development of cities and settlements based on biosphere compatibility.

The most promising direction of architectural science is outer space. At present, we can see that the task of studying outer space is supplemented by the task of using the medium under study. Before the station appears on the surface of the Moon, it is necessary to build experimental uninhabited artificial stone objects. Regolith will be actively used - the fragmented lunar soil to create stone structures on the Moon. The first habitable objects on the Moon will have a massive and solid protection against micrometeorites and radiation. Stone protection will be made of local building materials.

The aim of the work was the actualization of the introduction of modern methods of research of coastal zones of cities. For many large cities, former industrial areas located in the coastal zone are considered as potential reserves of the urban environment, which have great dynamics of functions and high natural potential. Free territorial reserves become a resource for urban transformations, offering various scenarios for its use. In this regard, it becomes urgent to conduct a complex of urban development studies aimed at avoiding future mistakes. Currently among the various methods of scientific research in the field of urban planning the most effective is aerial photography. Aerial photography allows you to collect as much information about the features of the urban landscape, correctly assess the relative location of objects and infrastructure of a particular area, for the future project proposal.

The paper defines the pattern of the natural forms of historical settlements. The author recognizes the priority of the landscape in relation to the author’s self-expression. New anonymous architecture as a humanistic trend of the architectural profession makes an attempt to gain the natural environment image on the base of the “updated instruments”. Compositional method of architectural projecting, developed by the author of the paper, is aimed at formation of author’s work principles - the master of the environment form of the urban landscape, that is - anonymous architecture” of the new generation.