GREEN SPACES IN THE HISTORICAL ENVIRONMENT OF DOWNTOWN KYIV

Abstract

The article deals with the study of green urban spaces in the central area of Kyiv, which are integral components of its spatial organization and significantly influence the historical and cultural content of the environment, particularly within the protective (buffer) zone of the St. Sophia Cathedral ensemble – a monument included in the UNESCO World Cultural and Natural Heritage List. Within the protective zone, several historically valuable local green areas have been identified, including Volodymyrska Hill Park, the square between Sofiyska and Mykhailivska Squares (Volodymyrskyi Square), Zolotovoritskyi Square, Peyzazhna Alley, and the square on Lvivska Square. These landscape formations are organically connected to the urban development of Kyiv’s city center and, together with the planning and buildings within the buffer zone of St. Sophia Cathedral, form the historically inherited spatial framework of the monument’s environment. Accordingly, they represent historical and cultural value, are subject to protection, and require proper maintenance. The research methodology is based on the analysis of scientific publications, field observation of the mentioned green areas, and the study of regulatory and legislative acts in the field of monument protection. The purpose of the study is to identify the typological features, functional content, and historical and cultural significance of green formations as structural components of the historical environment of Kyiv’s central area, particularly the buffer zone of the St. Sophia ensemble as a monument of world importance. The scientific novelty of this study lies in determining the role and content of heritage landscape areas, as well as approaches to their protection and, consequently, the preservation of the historical environment of the city center. The results of the study show that the material basis of these areas, in addition to green spaces, consists of cultural heritage objects, archaeologically and historically valuable territories, and works of monumental and decorative art. Thus, the historical environment of these landscape areas is characterized by significant historical and cultural value. Accordingly, they are regarded as monuments and are subject to registration, protection, and preservation at the state level. The establishment and initial formation of landscape areas in Kyiv’s central district, particularly within the buffer zone of the St. Sophia ensemble, are organically connected with urban development and the formation of city infrastructure. Together with the planning and construction, these landscape formations constitute an integral part of the historically inherited spatial framework of the central area within the buffer zone of the monument of world importance – the St. Sophia ensemble. Among the current tasks of protecting and utilizing green areas are their comprehensive study, preparation of registration documentation, including the determination of territorial boundaries, and their inclusion in the cultural heritage register.