DOI: https://doi.org/10.34680/urbis-2025-5(2)-283-310

City’s cultural code.  Expert interview

Igor Popovsky

Novosibirsk State University of architecture and Civil Engineering (Sibstrin)

Kryachkov Novosibirsk State University of Architecture, Design and Arts,

Novosibirsk, Russia

[email protected]

Sergey Smirnov

Yaroslav-the-Wise Novgorod State University, Veliky Novgorod, Russia

Institute of Philosophy and Law, Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences,

Novosibirsk, Russia

[email protected]

ORCID: 0000-0002-2023-8855

ABSTRACT

The expert interview focuses on pressing issues related to the preservation and transmission of an authentic urban environment amid contemporary urban growth and development. Three types of cultural code generation in urban space are identified and substantiated. Approaches to defragmenting the urban environment are examined. The mutual interdependence of physical and social space at the scale of the modern city is emphasized. The role of architectural dominants in shaping the cultural environment and transmitting the city’s historical image is articulated. The connection between the image of the town, mentality, and urban “tradition” is noted in the context of preserving local cultural codes. The reflection of citizens’ lifestyles and activities in urban zoning practices is highlighted. The impact of spontaneous planning of urban texture on the formation of cultural codes is analyzed. Special emphasis is placed on the relationship between cultural memory (memory of place) and cultural code in preserving the urban way of life, illustrated through examples from several Russian cities (Saint Petersburg, Novosibirsk, Moscow, Biysk, Iskitim, and others). Issues related to the perception of the urban environment, depending on an individual’s mental and physical position within space, are identified. A conceptual question is posed regarding the essential relationship between the cultural code and the city's subjectivity.

KEYWORDS: city’s cultural code, urban identity, urban environment, urban culture, architectural dominant, urban subjectivity.

Information about the authors

Igor V. Popovsky

Honorary Architect of Russia,

Advisor to the Russian Academy of Architecture

and Construction Sciences, Associate Professor

Kryachkov Novosibirsk State University

of Architecture, Design and Arts

38, Krasny Avenue, Novosibirsk,

630099, Russian Federation

Professor

Novosibirsk State University of architecture

and Civil Engineering (Sibstrin)

113, Leningradskaya St., Novosibirsk,

630008, Russian Federation

e-mail: [email protected]

Sergey S. Smirnov

Dr. Sci. (Philosophy),

Chief Researcher

Yaroslav-the-Wise Novgorod State University

41, Bolshaya Sankt-Peterburgskaya St.,

Veliky Novgorod, 173003, Russian Federation

Chief Researcher

Institute of Philosophy and Law

Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences

8, Nikolaeva St., Novosibirsk,

630090, Russian Federation

ORCID: 0000-0002-2023-8855

Web of Science ResearcherID: H-1575-2016

Scopus AuthorID: 57195838149

e-mail: [email protected]

For citation:

Popovsky, I. V., & Smirnov, S. A. (2025). City’s cultural code. Expert interview. Urbis et Orbis. Microhistory and Semiotics of the City, 5(2), 283–310. https://doi.org/10.34680/urbis-2025-5(2)-283-310