STAGES OF DEVELOPMENT AND ARCHITECTURAL AND URBAN PLANNING SIGNIFICANCE OF THE FIRST GENERAL PLAN OF ASTRAKHAN (1767–1769)

The history of a large-scale program of urban reconstruction and construction on model projects in the second half of the 18th century has been sufficiently studied in the fundamental works of Soviet researchers. However, the local context of regulating the planning structure of border towns continues to be actual topic due to new discoveries and the rapid degradation of the historical and architectural environment. This article summarizes and refines information about the creation of the first Highly approved general plan of Astrakhan in 1760s based on a comprehensive analysis of written and iconographic sources. Stages of development and authors of design solutions are identified. New archival materials and their description are introduced into scientific circulation. The share of participation and contribution of the architect Andrey Menshov, the Astrakhan governor Beketov N.A. and Kvasov A.V. – the chief architect of the “Commission for the Stone Construction in Saint Petersburg and Moscow” is specified. The analysis of the process of designing the general plan in urban planning and architectural aspects with indicating of recommendations and regulations for construction of residential buildings based on principles of regularity and ensemble is presented.