The formation of the urban space image in the 1960–1980ss in the perception of contemporaries (by the example of Penza region) 

Aleksandr A. Gushchin, Candidate of historical sciences, director of the Center for the study of the history of Penza Region, Institute of Regional Development of Penza Region (40 Popova street, Penza, Russia), Alone-87@yandex.ru

Background. The image of the region and the locality in the minds of the inhabitants of the region is one of the important components of regional identity. The study of this issue will reveal the factors that contributed to the formation of the image of the Penza region in the 1960–1980ss. The purpose of the work is to consider the prerequisites for the formation of the image of the Penza region in the 1960s–1980s as a successful region, comfortable for life. Materials and methods. The article considers the formation of the image of Penza region in the 1960–1980ss based on the analysis of socio-economic changes that took place in the region, as well as the transformation of the urban environment and the improvement of settlements. The corpus of sources consisted of archival documents (extracted from the funds of the State Archive of Penza Region, the State Archive of the Russian Federation), periodicals, published statistical collections, memoirs and diaries of contemporaries. The methodology of the research is based on the historical and genetic method, which allows to reveal the prerequisites for the formation of the image of Penza region in the 1960–1980ss as a prosperous, well-maintained region. At the same time, special attention is paid to the formation of the image of Penza region, the city of Penza through the mass. Results. The prerequisites for the formation of the image of Penza region in the 1970–1980ss are revealed. The specifics of the activities of the regional authorities on the improvement of Penza region are considered. The materials of the periodical press aimed at forming the image of a well-maintained, “green” region are analyzed. Conclusions. The image of the region is considered as an important component of the regional identity of the population. The formation of ideas about Penza region and the city of Penza was due to both the rapid growth of industrial production and the active activity of local authorities to improve the region. Publications in the media on this issue consolidated this image. The result was the consolidation of the phrase “We want to live like in Penza” attributed to residents of neighboring regions in the socio-political space of the Penza region.

 Penza region in 1960–1980ss, Penza, regional identity, regional policy, landscaping, urban population

Gushchin A.A. The formation of the urban space image in the1960–1980ss in the perception of contemporaries (by the example of Penza region). Izvestiya vysshikh uchebnykh zavedeniy. Povolzhskiy region. Gumanitarnye nauki = University proceedings. Volga region. Humanities. 2022;(3):134–141. (In Russ.). doi:10.21685/2072-3024-2022-3-12