Imperial Designs and Local Realities: The Implementation of Rēzekne’s 1778 Master Plan (1778–1836)

This article examines the implementation and challenges of the 1778 Master Plan for Rēzekne, a town in modern-day Latvia, over the period from 1778 to 1836. Developed as part of the Russian Empire’s broader urban planning efforts under Catherine the Great, the plan aimed to impose Enlightenment ideals of order and rationality. However, its execution faced significant challenges due to the geographical and social distance between the imperial centre and its peripheral colony. The plan’s failure to account for Rēzekne’s actual topography – particularly its swampy eastern areas – along with resistance from the town’s predominantly Jewish population contributed to its partial and problematic implementation. Despite these obstacles, the 1778 Plan laid the groundwork for future urban development, which culminated in the 1836 Master Plan under Nicholas I. By analysing contemporary maps and visual sources, this article highlights how imperial ambitions clashed with local realities.