Authors

Raimov Kamil R., Akhtyamova Rezeda Kh.
Architectural and functional transformation of infrastructure spaces: international practices and the concept of “permeability”

Architecton: Proceedings of Higher Education №2 (94) June, 2026

The paper examines architectural strategies for mitigating the barrier effect produced by transport infrastructure, which fragments urban fabric and reduces pedestrian connectivity. The study reviews international projects that re-purpose infrastructure-related territories across three recurring spatial situations: over-deck, under-viaduct, and adjacent-to-infrastructure. An analytical framework is proposed through the concept of “architectural permeability”, integrating morphological connectivity, programmatic compatibility, and perceptual legibility. A comparative analysis identifies transferable design techniques: continuous pedestrian and cycling routes, hybrid public and recreational programs embedded into infrastructure zones, and targeted work with lighting, planting, wayfinding, and human-scale spatial articulation. The findings show how these techniques transform infrastructure from an isolating engineering object into an active civic framework.