Fires as a factor of formation of the urban environment of Simbirsk in the second half of XIX - the early XX century

The authors analyze one of the key factors of urban space formation, urban fires, on the example of Simbirsk in the second half of the 19th - the early 20th century. Fires as a phenomenon were typical for many Russian towns in the considered period and often determined the directions and ways of forming the spatial and architectural organization of the town, its infrastructure and appearance. As a result of the fire of 1864, almost two-thirds of Simbirsk were burned. The so-called «big fires» in Simbirsk in 1864 and 1888 greatly contributed to the affirmation of a different, improved layout in the 1866 development plan, along with the construction of water supply, and also gave impetus to the development of stone construction: by the beginning of the XX century, the city had many private brick factories. Town development plans have been developed taking into account the need to change the spatial organization: the width of the streets and the location of sidewalks. The mandatory fire regulations were introduced in the construction of buildings and structures. In addition, the idea of fire protection measures in the construction practice was actively supported by the citizens themselves and local government, both at the national level and in Simbirsk.