New trends in urban planning of the western region of Ukraine in the second half of the 20th century: the case of Ivano-Frankivsk

The article examines the theory and history of Soviet-era architecture in the city of Ivano-Frankivsk (1944–1991), which was characterized by its distinct architectural features and large-scale development. The historical development of Ivano-Frankivsk was influenced by the economic and political context of the past. According to the “new approaches,” the central part of the city had “many shortcomings”: extremely dense development in the central area, fragmented city blocks, and a significant portion of the urban territory occupied by “low-value” single-story buildings with all engineering communications. It was considered economically feasible to reconstruct old districts and demolish the “low-value” (and sometimes hazardous) housing stock while utilizing the existing engineering infrastructure, rather than expanding construction beyond the city limits. The reconstruction of these areas aimed to reduce building density and create green spaces. However, this process caused irreversible damage to the historical part of the city. By the early 1960s, the characteristics of a new urban development style, typical of the Soviet period, had emerged. Cities, towns, and villages were built using the standard construction solutions of the Soviet era: inexpensive concrete or brick structures, poorly constructed, and lacking architectural identity or aesthetic appeal. In cities where the old central area remained partially intact, such as in Ivano-Frankivsk (formerly Stanislav), new buildings and residential districts were constructed haphazardly and in suburban areas, forming a series of peripheral dormitory districts. As for smaller towns and settlements that had to accommodate tens of thousands of rural migrants transitioning into the working class, these newcomers were often housed in dormitories and workers’ settlements. The architecture of cities became a mixed type, sometimes resulting in absurd urban compositions that negatively affected the architectural ensemble of individual cities.