The role of religious architecture in the sustainable development of contemporary cities: traditions and innovations

Abstract

The novelty of this paper resides in the fact that its co-authors analyze processes of urban formation and architectural development from the perspective of the city’s performance of social functions. The co-authors study religion as a social institution and the role that it plays in the emergence of medieval cities and in the arrangement of external and internal environments of human beings in present-day cities. Their role is determined as innovative. The performance by the institution of religion of its historic function is studied from the standpoint of the concept of sustainable development. The methodology of this research project is based on the retrospective analysis of historical documents, the comparative analysis of built-up areas, housing planning in traditional and contemporary societies, and the systems concept. As a result of this research, the co-authors have successfully identified several features typical for the operation of the institution of church in a medieval city. The co-authors have analyzed the way the Christian ideology determines the interior and the architectural landscape. The co-authors outline the areas for the application of their research findings. The co-authors believe that these findings must be taken account of in the course of restoration performed in a contemporary megalopolis and in the process of study of the history of urban settlements.