Architectural space of the city as a factor of identity formation (exemplified by the city of Volgograd)

The article is devoted to the study of the architectural space of the hero-city of Volgograd and its role in the formation of urban identity. The methodological basis is the cultural-historical approach, phenomenologicaland hermeneutic methods. It is concluded that the disparate eclectic architectural environment does not contributeto the creation of regional identity, does not develop ideas about the uniqueness of the place, which negativelyaffects the formation of the city image and urban identity. At the same time, a conscious approach to the organizationof the architectural environment in any of its forms can become the soft power of implicit management, a prerequisitefor resource states, a technology for harmonizing and optimizing social space. The scientific novelty of the researchconsists in the explication of the mechanism of architectural space influence on a person as a biopsychosocialbeing. The authors distinguish archetypal, symbolic, and conceptual levels of perception, showing that the influenceof the archetypal is implicit but necessary. This is the level of perception at the level of sensations, which are thebasis of feelings, are the prerequisite for emotions and mental attitudes. This lies at the origins of the identityformation as the involvement of a person in the significant experience of the past, others, relatives. Symbolic andconceptual levels of perception are related to the process of cognition, rational and logical attitudes. In theconditions of modern social dynamics, a competent organization of the architectural landscape, which contributesto the optimization and harmonization of living activities, can become an important factor of integration and aprerequisite for the formation of a positive identity. The authors consider that modern identity can be formed in thecourse of new practices that remove traditional restrictions around life-affirming values and meanings that underliethe organization of the living environment, taking into account the principles of ecology.