Leshchenko N. Methodological foundations of the restoration-reconstructive transformations of the historical centers of small towns

The dissertation study is devoted to the methodology of restoration-reconstructive transformations of the historical centers of small towns. The definition of «restoration-reconstructive transformation» (RRT) is given as a complex process of interconnected restoration and reconstruction changes in buildings, open urban spaces and urban architectural environment as a whole to move them to a new qualitative level. A new direction of research of the perspective development of the historical small towns is defined – cumulative development and approach to RRT of their historical centers in the system «place – people – traditions», where «people», and first of all, locals are the main. A new methodology of the integrated RRT process for transforming the existing urban environment into a multi-comfortable is proposed as a system theory, which solves issues at four interconnected levels (urban, volumetric, functional and socio-economic) and links the RRT methods into a single discrete complex. Methods of determination the «genetic code» of a historical city and the degree of destruction of its historical center have been developed to establish a qualitative indicator of its existing state. The method of attractive disclosure of the historical center with the creation of «objects-performances» and the organization of various types of «urban performance» to activate it and increase value is proposed. 18 parameters were allocated as defining characteristics for assessing the preservation of the uniqueness of the historically developed architectural and urban planning context and adding a new building into it. 10 criteria of multi-comfort and strategies for transforming the historical urban environment into a multi-comfortable environment for living, employment and free time have been identified. The strategic and methodological models of the integrated RRT process, «4C» discrete complex of RRT methods, principles, techniques and recommendations for its implementation have been developed. Recommendations on the definition of the modern function for historical buildings, the functional content, distribution and combination of functions and structural elements of the historical center in the horizontal and vertical plane are proposed.