VILNIUS OLD TOWN - THE CORE OF THE LIVING CULTURAL MEMORY

In the Western world, cities and urban networks are the basic cultural and civilizational force. Urban historical heritage grounds and strengthens identities of urban communities, which are essential for civilizational development. Cities are visual shapes of the processes of local social and international relations and cultural production. The identities of urban communities are formed not only by their urban lifestyles, but also by urban visual surroundings with cultural and religious symbols and meanings. Urban historical heritage is the source of urban uniqueness and identity, thus it plays an important role in cultural memory formation and maintenance. The old town is the core of this kind of heritage where "genetical" programme of urban development is inscribed. In addition, the Old Town of Vilnius embodies the main features of Lithuanian historical statehood. Thus, the criteria of urban developmental works in the Old Town area should rely on the tasks of the reinforcing both urban space structure and the features of urban identity and exceptionality, and also on the sustainment and spread of cultural historical memory ensuring identity of the urban community.