2012

Marina Dobronovskaya

  • Doctoral Candidate
  • University of Delaware
Picture of Marina Dobronovskaya

Project

The Material Culture of Stalinism: The City of Novgorod, Urban Reconstruction, and Historic Preservation in the Soviet Union after World War II, 1943-1955

Program

Mellon/ACLS Dissertation Completion Fellowships

Department

Historic Preservation

Abstract

This research investigates the process and politics of urban planning and historic reconstruction of Soviet cities after World War II. For reasons of historical importance, focus, and comparative analysis, it examines the reconstruction of the Russian city of Novgorod. The objectives are: to analyze the ideology of urban planning and the philosophy and plans for reconstruction of historic towns; to explore how decisions were made, and the difference between plans and results; to place Soviet reconstruction and preservation policies in comparative Western-European context; and to show what impact postwar reconstruction has had on present-day urban planning and preservation policies.