KUTOK: A UKRAINIAN TYPE OF SUSTAINABLE SETTLEMENT UNIT

The article explores the concept of kutok, a distinctive Ukrainian type of sustainable settlement unit that originated well before the industrial era and remains embedded in rural culture. Unlike the more recent notion of sustainable urban neighbourhoods, which emerged from late urban theory, kutok has deep ethnohistorical roots that shape its spatial and social organization. The study examines the formation of kutok based on familial economic activities, natural resources, and the topography of specific locales. It draws a compelling analogy between the structure of a kutok and that of an atom, emphasizing the interconnectedness of smaller social and spatial units. The article delves into the mechanisms through which kutok fosters local identity and community cohesion. These mechanisms include spatial organization, such as the vygony (common grazing lands), and public spaces that serve as informal social control systems. The persistence of these structures in contemporary rural settlements highlights their role in maintaining social stability and cultural continuity. Concrete examples from Ukrainian villages and small towns illustrate how kutok structures endure as fundamental components of rural spatial planning, offering insights into traditional settlement patterns. These examples demonstrate how the formation of kutok is intricately linked to local resources and the socio-economic activities of its residents, creating a complex yet cohesive system of community governance and spatial interaction. The study further analyzes the influence of kutok on the formation of public spaces, where familial and communal ties are reinforced through shared economic and social activities. It also examines how the kutok model can inform contemporary urban development strategies, particularly in fostering sustainable neighbourhoods rooted in local cultural practices. Attention is given to the evolving nature of kutok in response to modern pressures such as urbanization and socio-economic changes. The article underscores the relevance of kutok as a research framework for exploring broader urban and rural dynamics, bridging the gap between traditional and contemporary spatial forms. Targeted at researchers in urban studies, social anthropology, architecture, and ethnology, the article offers a nuanced perspective on how kutok can serve as a model for sustainable spatial organization. It also suggests that recognizing and integrating kutok structures into modern urban planning could contribute to more resilient and culturally grounded community development strategies.