The Architectural-Urbanistic Evolution of Cahul City from the 20th Century to the Beginning of the 21st Century

Abstract

The 20th century meant for the city of Cahul the continuation of the urbanization process started in the 19th century. In the first two decades of that century, buildings intended for maritime transport, residential buildings, cultural institutions, edifices with an industrial profile, etc. appeared. During the interwar period, several factories and banks operated in the city, education was represented by two high schools, two gymnasiums and eight primary schools. Among the cultural institutions, there was a cinema, two dormitories of the “Prince Carol” Royal Foundation, the Cultural League, etc. Some buildings were of modernist or neoclassical inspiration, and others had qualities of constructivist architecture. After the Second World War, several architectural and urban planning works were undertaken in Cahul. In 1947, the plan sketch of the city was made (architect V. Smirnov). At the “Molghiprostroi” Institute in Chișinău, some series of urban planning documents were developed that determined the subsequent systematization of the city of Cahul. The architecture of the new buildings built during the Soviet period was tributary to socialist modernism. In 2012, the specialists of the “Urbanproiect” Institute completed the elaboration of the general urban plan of the city of Cahul (architects Iu. Povar, V. Bocacev). In recent years, interesting buildings with two or more levels have appeared in the city, both residential ones and those of public interest. Their architecture belongs to post-impressionism, minimalism, etc.