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“Dead End”: A Spatial History of a Border Town in Post-Soviet Kyrgyzstan
This chapter explores the changing spatial histories of the Kyrgyz border city of Karakol (former Przhevalsk) situated in the eastern part of Kyrgystan bordering China and Kazakhstan. More specifically, it focuses on how the borderness of the city shapes urban narratives about the present and the historical past. The chapter discusses the geographical positioning of Karakol, its border characteristics, and how different periods have shaped infrastructure, connectivity and perceived significance of the city. Each chapter section and subheading will correspond to themes identifies as prominent in spatial narratives and discourses produced among Karkol inhabitants which contribute to shaping the sense of place and the identities of urban dwellers. These are: (1) Border symbols in the city’s landscapes and urban folklore; (2) Border units as “nostalgia; Karakol as (3) both paradise and dead-end, i.e. as margin and oasis; (4) a calm and secure place); (5) characterized by cultural diversity; (6) an outpost reflecting a Russian imperial past; (7) a place of mountain-tourism; (8) closeness to the border as a brand (ashlyamfu).
It is argued that the spatial histories of Karakol are embodying the significant historical changes of this territory from Imperial expansion and development of an urban settlement, through Soviet modernization to post- Soviet economic decline and social transformation.