Militärische Sicherung und wirtschaftlicher Nutzen. Cherson und der Städtebau im Süden des Russländischen Reiches am Ende des 18. Jahrhunderts

Abstract

This contribution deals with urbanization processes in those territories the Russian Empire had appropriated during wars with the Ottoman Empire between 1768 and 1792. In this region, urban planning proved a dynamic process, evolving and changing over time. The city of Kherson, on which this article focusses, is a prime example. In Kherson, the city planners under Prince Grigorii A. Potemkin initially defined the city's structures and surrounding urban network's economic, military, and administrative functions. However, as the territorial and financial situation in the region changed, this demanded cardinal adjustments and corrections to the original concepts. The largely independent administrative position of Prince Potemkin in the government of Catherine II and the increasing professionalization of his staff enabled flexible problem solutions and the practical implementation of new strategies.