ARCHITECTURAL-ARTISTIC AND STRUCTURAL SOLUTIONS FOR BRIDGE DESIGN IN THE HISTORICAL ENVIRONMENT

Abstract

The restoration of Ukraine’s transport infrastructure, particularly bridges destroyed during the war, is one of the priority tasks of post-war reconstruction. Designing bridges in historical environments poses a special challenge, as architectural and structural solutions must combine functionality, aesthetics, and respect for cultural heritage. Using the city of Sviatohirsk as a case study, the article examines the problem of integrating new bridges into a landscape dominated by sacred and natural landmarks, while identifying modern trends in transforming bridges into multifunctional public spaces. The research analyzes the historical and cultural context, outlines issues of preserving authenticity and transport accessibility, and considers examples of contemporary architectural and structural solutions that can be adapted to Ukrainian conditions. The aim of the study is to identify the principles of architectural-artistic and structural design of bridges in historical urban environments, taking into account the needs of modern transport, tourism, and recreation. The study applied methods of historical and cultural environment analysis, comparison of international cases of modern bridge construction, and modeling of design proposals developed by Ukrainian architectural students. A systematic approach was used, combining architectural analysis, functional and spatial planning, and assessment of the impact on cultural landscapes. Conceptual approaches to designing bridges in Sviatohirsk were proposed, including the separation of transport and pedestrian flows, creation of observation platforms, integration of recreational and commercial functions, and the use of modern multi-span structures. It was shown that a bridge can serve not only as a transport facility but also as a socio-cultural hub, becoming a new public center of the city. Architectural design of bridges in historical urban environments should be based on a balance between preserving cultural heritage and implementing modern engineering solutions. The case of Sviatohirsk demonstrates that a new bridge can become a symbol of integrating history and modernity, contributing to the development of tourism, recreation, and urban identity.