Informal transformation of the existing city : case of Tbilisi, Georgia

The paper aims to study and analyze the process of informal transformation of the existing built environment in capital city of Georgia-Tbilisi. The main objective of this research is to find out what the needs of this phenomenon are, how they influence the existing urban environment and what can we learn from this process. Moreover, it will try to suggest tools how to deal with this environment. In order to understand the existing informal environment of Tbilisi, the paper first examines the preconditions that assisted in its development and discusses historical, political and socio- psychological aspects, by analyzing historical sources, study of legal documents, collecting data from specialists and residents of Tbilisi. Secondly concentrates on the field study of two post-soviet districts in Tbilisi, detects, analysis and classifies the transformation process. Based on the research transformed areas represent a big share of neighborhoods in Tbilisi and are mainly characterized by two sorts of transformation: one residential space extension and second public space appropriation. The study outcome indicates that primary reason for apartment expansion lies in the need for ‘’in place’’ adjustments of the size and function of the home. Public space appropriation is characterized mainly by similar reason, squatting land for getting extra space in private ownership, as common property, after the fall of the Soviet Union in Georgia was understood as an ill phenomenon, and it was linked with the ideology of communism, as for private ownership it was considered as an achievement of the capitalist system. The research showed that the process of transformation is still in progress, from the interviews with officials and the study of official acts, it is obvious that the state still does not have a systematic approach towards this phenomenon. As a result existing urban environment of Tbilisi is being continuously transformed in a chaotic way. The final part of the paper suggests tools how to deal with the existing transformed environment , re-use it and adapt to the new needs on an example of a neighborhood ‘’bakhtrioni’’.