LIVING CONDITIONS OF THE SOUTHERN UKRAINIAN NATIONAL MINORITIES (1920–1930)

Abstract

This article reveals the problem of living conditions of the ethnical communities of the South of Ukraine during 20–30-ies years of the XXst century. The climatic and economic factors having impact on the choice of building materials, also peculiarities of housing and municipal construction have been studied, taking into account opinion of the national minorities. The types of housing inhabited by the Germans, Greeks, Bulgarians and Jews have been described. The interior design and planning have been analyzed, as well as their functionality. The attention has been paid to the problem of expanding the dwelling places of the national minorities, as well as to the use of the appropriate techniques when building new ones. It was established that the exterior, heating of the premises and farmstead are ethnically charged, but still require further improvements, despite some improvements have been made. The sanitary and hygienic condition of the premises is considered. It is suggested that during the times of New Economic Policy the population of colonial settlements increased. The buildings have been made of stone and bricks, covered by iron and tile. Nevertheless, the majority of houses inhabited by the national minorities lacked the foundation. They were damp, built on the ground, with small windows shut, not allowing to see the daylight. One could not open them. It is believed that apart from the ethnic peculiarities and traditions of housing, the property and social status should be taken into account. The Article also addresses the problems related to the collectivization of social and economic processes, and their influence on transformation of housing types during years of practice and history.