Evolution of multi-storey residential construction through the prism of sociology

Abstract

A multi-storey residential house is viewed as a product of urbanization of modern society and is an object of research of such specific branches of sociological knowledge, as sociology of city, sociology of architecture, and sociology of housing. Currently, urbanization processes have captured the majority of developed and developing countries worldwide; the portion of urban population residing in multi-storey buildings (including condominiums, apartments, etc.) is constantly growing. For the sociology of housing, of special interest ate the social prerequisites, patterns and trends of development of multi-storey residential construction, which became the object of this research. The article provides a historical-sociological analysis of evolution of multi-storey residential construction since the ancient times until the modern stage. The theoretical framework contains works of the authors in the field of sociology of city, as well as 12 volumes of the “General History of Architecture”. The empirical base contains the data of the Russian Federal State Statistics Service, data of the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat allocated on the digital resource the Skyscraper Center. The conclusion is made that urbanization process, reflected in the development of multi-storey residential construction, began way before modern stage of social development – in the Ancient World. The author determines the social factors (overpopulation of cities, development of capitalist relations, etc.), and current trends (high-rise construction, “smart” homes, etc.) in evolution of multi-storey residential construction.