Features of preservation of the Russian motor transport heritage and its participation in urban development

Abstract

The article deals with the specific features of the Russian motor transport heritage preservation based on the example of museums. This heritage also allows to develop the space of the cities themselves. Space reclamation represents one of the key aspects for Russian civilization. In addition, it is important to address motor transport heritage because it has no legal protection in Russia, though museums are being created actively and collections are growing, starting to change space in cities and their cultural environment. The current research aims at revealing space peculiarities of the motor transport museums development in Russia and the way they influence the cities where they are situated. The factors that favour the creation of museums include motor transport or neighbouring productions at the location, especially during the first stages of creation. Later, population number and the level of social and economic development of Russian cities and regions start to play an important role. The main territories where the museums are located include Central and Ural districts. Some museums are located in rural areas alongside with cities and towns. About half of the museums have foreign motor transport exhibits in their collections. The creation of children and public transport museums becomes an important event. The main directions, where museums develop local communities, create working places as well as many cultural events, include automobile rallies, the work with collections, devoted to the Soviet era, and joint projects with transportation companies (OAO “RZhD”), State archive and grant foundations. The work with big companies, state institutions and foundations is exemplified by the museum complex UGMK in Verkhnyaya Pyshma and Perm motor transport museum “Retro-garage”.