History in urban space: visualization experience using Tyumen as a case study

The article is focused on the issue of city image making. Tyumen, a rapidly developing Siberian city, is chosen as a model. The basic approach applied by the authors of the article is visual semiotics. It allowed to analyze the messages the city and its particular objects send to the residents. We assume that every place within the city is a sign or symbol that is interpreted according to the perception of an exact person. The purpose of the research is to study historical discourse in the urban space. To get a broader research context we considered the most significant places and symbols of the city. We used the following two methods to collect the empiric material: an online questionnaire-based survey and mind mapping. The article reveals the image of the city from the perspective of its historical sites: the list of the sites is provided, their location and density is analyzed, and the interpretation of the respondents is considered. It should be noted that the interpretations of these places within the urban space, even of the most popular ones, are sometimes significantly different. Semiotic approach is what matters here. Among the enumerated sites we discovered the ones that no longer exist in the city. We attempted to specify the sites connected with different historical periods. The article provides the comparative analysis of the data collected via both methods: questionnaire and mind mapping. We exposed and systematized the respondents’ suggestions about the significant events and the related characters whose image should be included in the urban space. We considered the technological issues, connected with digitalization, that changed the exploration of the urban space. They were mostly assessed as positive by the respondents. The research is of a great value from the point of view of the city image making in general, and its certain objects and historical sites in particular. It is meaningful for sights construction and creation of a comfortable urban environment. The further research could be connected with the creation of a virtual map of the historical sites of Tyumen, with the study of “blank spots”, with drawing up guidelines for the development of the urban environment. The authors declare no conflicts of interests.

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