Towards Preservation of Tomsk Wooden Architecture

The risk of loss of wooden buildings created late in the 19th and early 20th centuries, determines the topic of this work, as these are buildings of the unique architecture built in the historical districts of Tomsk such as Zaozerye, Peski, Voskresenskaya Gora, Kirpichi, Boloto, Urzhatka, Yurtochnaya Gora, Zaistochye, Elan. Purpose: The purpose of this work is to introduce the obtained data into the scientific circulation using a survey of historical districts in Tomsk, identify wooden buildings out of operation and collect information about their ownership, preservation, and technical condition. The paper emphasizes the importance of defining a scientifically based function for preservation of unexploited wooden buildings that allows attracting investors. Methodology: The comprehensive approach, including work from archival and bibliographic documents and the Internet, the field survey, analysis and systematization of the obtained results, allowing to scientifically substantiate the actual situation with the preservation degree of wooden architecture in Tomsk. All this allows government and monument protection agencies to take timely measures to prevent historical wooden buildings from loss. Value: This work presents up-to-date data on unexploited buildings, proposes their classification and quantity, demonstrating the real situation with the loss of valuable architectural heritage that forms the architectural and artistic identity of Tomsk as a historical settlement of the federal significance.