Technological factors determining transformation of urban functions in Lithuanian cities

ENThe world largest cities central parts do not have a homogenous structure due to the factors determining an urban growth and development. The variety of function, their density and concentration in the central part of the city within social, economic, political, cultural and other factors stimulated a rapid urbanisation and urban transformations. Transformations in urban design are not a new phenomenon, rather than a continuous process. Over the past 50 years’ cities have changed incomparably. The aim of this paper is to discuss crucial transformations of urban functions and technological factors influencing urban functional mutations based on the outcomes of research carried out in the largest Lithuanian cities in the period between 1960 and 2011. The research was done concerning the development of a method for determining an urban function transformation. In this paper, the main focus is on the development of new technologies, economy, globalisation, lifestyle, etc., which along with planning system and ongoing urban process have generated a great variety of urban development conditions. The research empirical methodology reveals the sensitivity of the functions at macro scale, their typology and allocation in the city reveals the character and correlation degree between the functions. Hence, the existing city structures are becoming complicated. Digital technology dissemination through various human activities impact human behaviour, the way how they use and live in cities. However, technological factors by themselves do not result innovations, but trying to meet the residence need, cities structures become complicated. As a result, new hybrid morphological types emerge misbalancing the urban functional system and fabric. Therefore, this may require a rethinking of the identification guidance and form the regulatory corresponding strategies for this phenomenon.