Musealisation of Urban Space: Social and Philosophical Context

Abstract

The article discusses the issues of musealisation of the space of Russian cities as an urban phenomenon of modern society. The idea of “musealisation of the city”, which acquired its features since the 1930s has transformed over time. While the initial approach was centered on the adaptation of individual buildings and their conservation as architectural landmarks with museum significance, the current focus has shifted towards the creation of renovated public spaces. These include thematic pedestrian streets, historic courtyards, art districts and clusters that are united by a common historical and cultural heritage, a coherent architectural style, urban planning integrity and a unifying philosophical framework that establishes a connection with the past. The aim of this article is to specify the concept of “musealisation of urban space”. The main objective is to substantiate the phenomenon under consideration in socio-philosophical terms through the application of a systemic-semiotic approach. The article introduces the author’s concept of “musealisation of urban space” and analyses the specific features of musealisation of urban locations depending on their historical, architectural, and social context. The authors argue that the musealisation of the urban environment is underpinned by a system comprising three components: the concept (the underlying meaning of the transformations), the structure (the social activity of citizens), and the substrate (the landscape in the context of the preservation or absence of historical environment). Musealised locations transform into sought-after social spaces, enhance the urban aesthetic, provide resources for tourism development, and constitute the sociocultural potential of society. Examples of the musealisation process include public space development projects in Rybinsk, Kaliningrad, Velikiy Ustyug, and Arkhangelsk. Any practices of musealizing urban territories carry, above all, a socio-philosophical meaning; therefore, the authors consider the purpose and development prospects of urban musealisation as an organic phenomenon of the socio-cultural evolution of modern society. The musealisation of urban spaces reflects social interests in shaping national identity by engaging citizens both at the stage of preparing project proposals for environmental transformation and in the use of opportunities offered by the renovated territories after their redevelopment.

For citation: Kasatkina S.S., Makarova A.N. Musealisation of Urban Space: Social and Philosophical Context. Vestnik Severnogo (Arkticheskogo) federal’nogo universiteta. Ser.: Gumanitarnye i sotsial’nye nauki, 2026, vol. 26, no. 4, pp. 86–94. https://doi.org/10.37482/2687-1505-V531