The image of “socialist cities” in Kharkiv and Zaporizhzhia in guidebooks in the second half of XX – early XXI centuries

Abstract

The article analyzes the image of the “socialist cities” of Kharkiv (“New Kharkiv”) and Zaporizhzhia (“Sixth Village”) on the pages of city guidebooks in the second half of XX – early XXI centuries. It is concluded that the images of “socialist cities” in Kharkiv and Zaporizhzhia have a similar set of markers. Both are built next to the iconic industrial enterprises (KhTP, DniproHES), in accordance with the new principles of urban planning. Life in these cities contributed to the establishment of socialist life of workers. Technical parameters of “New Kharkiv” and “Sixth Village” are also similar: residential areas with developed social infrastructure (schools, hospitals, clubs, etc.), a lot of greenery.During the 1950s – 1980s, the image of the “socialist city” in the cultural landscape of Kharkiv was dynamic and positive. “New Kharkiv” was an independent tourist attraction, the final destination of one of the main tourist routes in the city. Its space was self-sufficient. The activities of KhTP ensured the stability of the meaning of life and the language of description of the “socialist city”. The economic crisis led to the collapse of the social structure of the plant, the meaning of existence of the “social city” blurred, from the space of stay (according to K. Lynch) it transformed into the space of transit. In the 1990s, the functional and ideological significance of “New Kharkiv” was lost. The authors of guidebooks focused their attention primarily on the central areas of the city. This led to its symbolic oblivion and “sealing”. Self-centeredness did not allow the “socialist city” to be inscribed in the symbolic landscape of Kharkiv in the first two decades of independence.On the pages of guidebooks, the “socialist city” of Zaporizhzhia was an exemplary, but transit space. A typical city sightseeing route started from DniproHES and continued along the central avenue to the railway station. Metaphors to describe the “socialist city” (“city of workers’”, “garden city”, etc.) became the basis for the practice of self-representation of Zaporizhzhia. It should be noted that the proper name of the “socialist city” – “Sixth Village” appeared on the pages of guidebooks only during the years of independence of Ukraine. The image of exemplary space, formed on the pages of guidebooks, was used by local authorities as a symbol of successful development of the city. “Socialist city” became a space of residence, and the conversation about it in public discourse began to take place in the discourse of preservation of historical and cultural heritage.