Authors

Muftigalieva Aliya A., Furman Nina V.
Evolution of the architectural and planning structure of Uralsk in the 17th –19th century: from the Yaik fortress town to the administrative center

Architecton: Proceedings of Higher Education №1 (93) March, 2026

The article considers the evolution the architectural and planning structure of Uralsk in the 17th-19th century from the original Yaik Town as a military fortress to its transformation into an administrative center. The stages and patterns of urban development are identified based on archival documents, historical maps, and comparative analysis. We found that the initial layout had a defensive character and was determined by the functions of protecting the south-eastern borders of the state. In the 18th century, it underwent transformation under the influence of trade, economic, and administrative factors, and by the end of the 19th century it had developed into a regular system of an administrative center with a well-developed street network, squares, and ensembles of public buildings. The study shows that the transformation of the planning structure was driven by a combination of military, administrative, commercial, and cultural factors. The results of study are significant for the preservation of the historical and architectural heritage and reconstruction of the urban environment.