Review article

The planning system of the Karelian Isthmus territory is determined by its transit position and a distinctive character of its natural resources. The city-planning framework of the Karelian Isthmus, having begun to be formed in the XI century as a network model with focal settlement, was modified in the XIV century into a system model that went through three stages in its development: polycentric, monocentric and azonal ones. Constantly changing state affiliation, the Karelian Isthmus lands until the middle of the XX century were developing in accordance with the unique characteristics of the territory. The present stage of the territory development is characterized with a transformation of the planning structure under the influence of the industrial Petersburg agglomeration.