Public Eating Spaces as Catalysts for Cultural and Educational Life: A Historical-Architectural Analysis of Uzbekistan's Public Catering Infrastructure

Abstract

This paper analyzes the historical-architectural evolution of public catering buildings in Uzbekistan, tracing their transformation from traditional spatial forms into the Soviet network of "Red Teahouses" (qizil choyxona), alongside their socio-cultural roles. Focusing on the southern regions of Uzbekistan (Kashkadarya and Surxandarya), the study investigates the socio-spatial transformation of catering infrastructure. The methodological framework combines historical-typological analysis of archival and statistical data with mathematical spatial density modeling. The results demonstrate that the Soviet authorities leveraged the high social communication potential of traditional teahouses as part of an "ideological appropriation of space" strategy. While the architectural shells of the buildings were preserved, their internal functional substance was systematically replaced with socialist propaganda and anti-religious hubs (the "League of Militant Atheists"). Furthermore, the research proves that the conversion of sacred architectural sites, such as the Charmgar Mosque in Karshi, into public catering spaces served to reprogram the collective spatial memory of the local population. By the late 1930s, the network transitioned from static built structures to seasonal field-based service models integrated into the agrarian sector, marking a new evolutionary phase. The scientific contribution of this study lies in conceptualizing public catering infrastructure not merely as a commercial asset, but as an active spatial catalyst shaping societal dynamics.