The article highlights the changes in the architectural appearance of Irkutsk during the post-Stalin times. The development of the historical city in the Soviet period proceeded in accordance with the needs of the Soviet system: industrial facilities and mass segment housing were built; residential neighborhoods with a set of social and domestic facilities were created. Sometimes there was a successful weaving of the new forms into the established ones. In some cases, innovations destroyed the historical view of the environment. The contribution of architects and statesmen to the development of the city has been considered. In the conditions of a market economy, multidirectional trends have been indicated. Thus, on the one hand, the integrity and originality of the city centre is spoiled and distorted through the infill development. On the other hand, the demand for creating a comfortable city environment is reflected in interesting forms of the cityscape: new squares, monuments, fountains, and other objects appear. The city symbols are being updated, an attempt to brand Irkutsk has been made. The regeneration of the city environment leads to the introduction of 130 Kvartal quarter, which is a successful attempt to create a new public space. There are also other attempts to make the architectural appearance of the city more modern and its image – memorable.
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