THE PROBLEM OF LOSING THE IMAGE OF CULTURAL HERITAGE MONUMENTS IN THE HISTORICAL URBAN ENVIRONMENT

Abstract

The article examines the problem of losing the authentic image of cultural heritage monuments within the historical urban environment. The relevance of the study is determined by the growing impact of inappropriate reconstruction, restoration, and routine maintenance practices, which gradually alter the architectural character of historic buildings and undermine the integrity of the urban fabric. Particular attention is paid to the evolution of cultural heritage protection legislation in Ukraine, the influence of ideological processes on conservation practices, and the transformation of the concept of authenticity.

The study aims to substantiate an approach to assessing reconstruction and restoration interventions through an integrated analysis of the authenticity of architectural images and the integrity of the historical urban environment. The research traces the development of heritage protection principles across different historical periods, from the Russian Empire and the Soviet era to independent Ukraine, highlighting the contradictions between legislative provisions and their practical implementation.

The causes of the loss of authenticity are systematized into three interrelated categories: physical alterations to historic structures, imbalanced functional adaptation, and the neglect of sociocultural processes. The analysis demonstrates that repeated, insufficiently researched repairs, the use of incompatible construction and finishing materials, the replacement of original architectural elements, and excessive adaptation to commercial functions can gradually transform heritage buildings into artificial representations of their own reconstructed past. Even when façades are preserved, inappropriate interventions may destroy the internal spatial logic and historical meaning of a monument. Furthermore, the displacement of established communities and traditional activities can weaken the social identity of historic areas and undermine their cultural continuity.

The findings establish that the preservation of architectural heritage requires an integrated approach based on four fundamental criteria: authenticity, historical credibility, environmental integrity, and functional adaptation. Reconstruction and restoration should therefore be treated as multidisciplinary strategic processes combining architectural, historical, engineering, and sociocultural research. The proposed approach can support the assessment of intervention impacts and the development of conservation decisions that balance contemporary functional requirements with the protection of historical values. Its application is intended to preserve the architectural identity, cultural significance, and continuity of Ukraine’s historic urban environments.