| Abstract [eng] |
The development of the Lithuanian historical towns perpetuates the cultural and social identity of our nation. An integral part of the Lithuanian historical towns, which marks the manifestation of the salient features of architectural and urban development, is the central site of a town, i.e. the town square and the structures surrounding it. Undoubtedly, the central town square and the surrounding structural heritage constitute the objects of cultural heritage whose preservation for future generations is significant. However, the innovative ideas of some periods attempt at invading the survival of urban and cultural heritage situated in the central sites of historical towns. A strong influence on the cultural heritage objects was noticed after the changes in the second half of the 20th century when Lithuania was absorbed into the Soviet Union. This period brought drastic changes in the architectural and urban cultural heritage of the historic town squares: traditional structures were demolished, new volumetric forms distorted traditional volumetric composition, the use of new materials in the facade changed the colouring of town square structures, the majority of central market places were turned into squares and the functional zoning of the squares was changed. Therefore, it is important to establish the guidelines that can serve as a basis of reconstructing the architectural and urban structure of town squares and surrounding structures influenced by the Soviet period that would allow carrying out traditions and preserving architectural and urban heritage to the highest possible extent and simultaneously modernising the architectural and urban structure of town squares to satisfy the needs of a modern man. This thesis analyses the Lithuanian historical town squares whose urban structure is an object of heritage. The aim of this thesis is to conclude a model for the management of Lithuanian historical town squares and architectural structures that would ensure the preservation of architectural and urban heritage in the town squares severely influenced by the soviet architecture. Furthermore, when implementing new architectural ideas based on the concluded model, the architectural and urban heritage of such town sites would undergo minimal influence. Based on the literary analysis and taking into consideration the exception of the peculiarities of architectural and urban structure of four Lithuanian town squares, the main traditional urban architectural features that prevailed up until the second half of the 20th century were determined. The new architectural and urban features that transformed town squares after the second half of the 20th century were identified as well. Based on the above-mentioned features an experimental project has been concluded (the project of the reconstruction of architectural and urban heritage of Butrimonys town square), which provides solutions to the problems of architectural and urban heritage preservation in the town square severely influenced by the Soviet architecture and simultaneously integrates modern architectural ideas which exercise minimal influence on the architectural and urban heritage of this town site. Having implemented the solutions provided by this experimental project it was determined that the urban structure of Butrimonys town square became more complex: the density of structures as well as the system of functional and spatial zones increased, therefore, the town square became more attractive, interesting and vivid, while the preserved valuable qualities remained unchanged. Furthermore, the Soviet buildings situated in Butrimonys town square were reconstructed to visually match the traditional architectural context of the town square. A conclusion can be reached that when reconstructing the architectural and urban structure of Butrimonys town square, a positive result was reached. Based on the literary analysis and the results of the experimental project and the analysis on the architectural and urban structure of town squares, the guidelines of historical town square management has been concluded. It is expected that in the future these guidelines will be applied when drawing the maintenance plans of heritage town squares in Lithuania. |
