Study of the phenomenon of upper kama architecture: Rehabilitation of usolye historic site

Abstract

Preservation of specific identity features (natural, historical, economic, and ethnic, etc.) of traditional communities represents a field that is in need of study and protection. Architectural heritage as a tangible representation of these anthropic values has suffered from the neglected preservation policy at the expense of pressing urban development, and currently is a focus of compelling research aimed at the implementation of preservation and valorization practices. In this paper, a phenomenon of traditional stone architecture of Usolye in the Ural Region (Russia) is considered and presented in the framework of an ongoing study being conducted by Perm National Research Polytechnic University, Russia in collaboration with the University of Pavia, Italy. The study focuses on preservation of intrinsic features of vernacular architecture and demonstrates the methodology for documentation, conservation, and representation of the phenomenon. As a result, current findings are discussed and a further rehabilitation strategy is presented.