Merylova I. Functional and planning organization of out-of-school educational institutions network by the example of Dnipropetrovsk region

The analysis of theoretical research and practice of creating educational institutions network in Ukraine and abroad was carried out. It has been defined that out-of-school establishments are important factors of reforming the entire system of continuing education. According to progressive domestic and foreign experience, it is advisable to improve the network of out-of-school institutions creating flexible integrated teaching and educational complexes, territorial educational districts. Since it was found out that there is no clear definition of "out-of-school educational institutions network", the following definition of the term is suggested by the author - "out-of-school educational institutions network is a spacious functional and planning arrangement of buildings, structures, sites, recreational areas for children and youth that are interrelated with each other and social environment in entire urban planning system". Such architectural and urban planning principles of the network as "accessibility", "structural integration", "innovative forms", "adaptive transformation", "cooperating sites", "eco-friendly learning environment" were determined in the research. On the basis of the principles suggested a theoretical model of the organization of out-of-school educational institutions network has been developed for a city and a rural area. According to this model, out-of-school institutions should be integrated into the structure of residential and public service buildings. In the dissertation the following site and space use planning (without development area and landscape) has been suggested: educational area, recreational area, service zone and core activities area (sport, scientific, artistic etc.). The number of functional zones and their sizes are specified by the institutions depending on their educational programs. Recommendations concerning the features of functional structure for a building adjoining out-of-school institutions are given. Planning models, as well as design suggestions for the improvement of out-of-school educational institutions network have been developed for various types of out-of-school institutions. The ways to improve current accessibility radiuses and estimates of out-of-school educational institutions, taking into account planning properties of urban and rural areas, as well as learners' age, have been given. The author provides suggestions for out-of-school institutions layout of the above-mentioned levels in the structure of residential settlements. The research conducted made it possible to develop a project proposal for functional and planning organization of out-of-school educational institutions network for Dnipropetrovsk region in the different town-planning situations.