EVOLUTION OF THE IMPERIAL RESIDENCE AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT OF THE ST. PETERSBURG CENTER

The scale and nature of the impact of the imperial residence in St. Petersburg on the urban environment of the city center are considered. It is noted that St. Petersburg was a residence city for two centuries, which significantly affected its development. It is emphasized that the Winter Palace was not considered the center of city-planning composition of citywide significance, but gradual development of the residence according to the growing needs of the imperial family had decisive effect on formation of a large area in the historical nucleus of the city. Periodization for evolution of the area and imperial palace complex is suggested. It takes into account changes in its location in St. Petersburg and its functions, and clearly demonstrates that the culmination of their development was in the first third of the 19th century. It is noted that the area of the imperial residence is currently considered to be the core of the historical city center, but the conditions for adequate grasp of its unique landscape have been constantly deteriorating due to the growing traffic flow in the city. It is recommended to consider the possibility of creating convenient observation platforms on roofs of buildings and in the Neva water area