Principles of the preservation and formation of the architectural identity in street construction in the historical part of Irkutsk
The preservation of entire historic districts in the centre of the city makes Irkutsk a unique city and creates the phenomenon of "architectural identity", i.e., the recognition, identification of images as characteristic of Irkutsk as confirmed by expert professionals. An obligatory component of this phenomenon is development over time, when recognisable signs of historical architecture are also present in modern buildings. However, due to the absence of clear methodologies, principles of formation or regulations aimed at preserving and strengthening this phenomenon, many fragments of the built-up area fail to form an ensemble, resulting in the disappearance of identity. The aim of the study was to reveal a system for the identification of features of Irkutsk's architecture and to create a methodology for designing innovations in the historical context. This can help architects to work more consciously with the historical context in the process of reconstruction and design, ensuring integrity, helping city authorities to make more efficient city planning decisions, and involving citizens in the improvement of the city. Additionally, the city can become more attractive for tourists due to the uniqueness of images. A comparative analysis of European cities having a bright architectural identity demonstrated the presence of a similar phenomenon in Irkutsk. The study of the development and traditions of urban construction in Irkutsk revealed the presence of characteristic features, while the analysis of scientific sources made it possible to put these features in order. The criteria and principles of the architectural identity of Irkutsk were formulated and the most typical architectural images identified. A successive design method based on principles that allow a determination of the presence or absence of consonance and dissonance in the architecture of streets was proposed, supporting the formulation of architectural identity.