Olga Baeva
Southern Federal University, Russia
Architects of the Renaissance were fascinated by the search for the laws and rules of an ideal city organization, and thus they marked the beginning of a unique period in the history of European
urban planning, the outcome and the highest point of which was the Russian urbanism of the age of classicism.
Historiography of Russian urban planning of the age of classicism is represented by numerous articles and fundamental works. All historical questions of regular Russian city, problems of legislation and aesthetic views have been adequately studied. However, the history of architectural and planning establishment of certain Russian cities remains thus far completely unexplored. It is necessary to fill this historiographical gap because this can help to create a complete and detailed picture of Russian and global urban planning and come to the understanding that there were more complex constructions of regular Russian city than it was considered to be the case.
The purpose of this study is the reconstruction of the planning history of Nakhichevan-on-Don and the identification of architectural and planning features of the city. The author of the first plan of the city in 1781 still remains unknown. However, due to the results of the research and a comparative analysis of many Russian cities plans we can conclude that I. E. Starov is not the author of the first plan. In the meantime, it is clear that such thoughtful urban planning decisions could be made only by a highly talented architect. Rational organization of space, city skyline and placement of architectural landmarks, correct solution to drain rainwater flows, which were harmoniously combined with the ideological objectives of the city, proves the skill of the author.
Thus, the city had a unique plan that combined climatic conditions, topography and ideological objectives.