CIVIL ENGINEERING IN MOSCOW IN 1918–1921

Abstract

The scope of research: the scope of research is the engineering in Moscow in the first years after the October Revolution of 1917. Purpose: to determine what effect the economic policy of the Bolsheviks government had on the state of the civil engineering, how the central government’s orders were implemented in practice at the regional level. Materials and methods: the documents from the Central State Archives of Moscow are used, the methodology is based on the principles of historicism, objectivity, reliance on historical sources, analysis and presentation of the material used a problem-chronological method. Results: the study of concrete historical material allowed to give an objective description of the state of construction in Moscow in 1918–1921, to consider the structure, tasks and major activities of the Moscow Committee of State Structures. Data are given on the nature of the works performed, including the reconstruction of theatrical buildings, which can be used to further study the history of engineering and architecture of the Soviet period. Conclusions: the work of the Moscow Committee of State Structures was held in the conditions of acute shortage of material and human resources and was aimed at the gradual liquidation of private property and entrepreneurship in engineering. It was not possible to solve this problem completely, private construction cooperatives participated in the repair and reconstruction of public buildings. Particular attention was paid to the objects of education, health, social welfare and culture.

Keywords

• Moscow Committee of State Structures (Moskomgosoor)
• construction
• reconstruction
• repair
• decree
• nationalization
• plan
• building materials
• contract