8 classrooms in Russian regions: examples of landscaping that will surprise you

2024 Author: Malcolm Clapton | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 03:44

There are beautiful embankments, parks, squares and modern places for recreation not only in Moscow and St. Petersburg. Pleasant public spaces are developing throughout Russia. We are talking about the projects and initiatives of the national project "" already implemented by the forces of the regions, which make and will make our cities even better.

1. Gorkinsko-Ometyevsky forest in Kazan

Kazan is famous for its urban improvement projects. The embankment of Lake Kaban, Uritsky Park, White Flowers Boulevard and other places in the capital of Tatarstan have received compliments from urbanists more than once. The Gorkinsko-Ometyevsky forest also belongs to the steep public spaces: the largest park in the city, which united two forests - Gorkinsky and Ometyevsky.

You can get from the Kazan Kremlin to it in half an hour - by metro to the Gorki station. You can walk around the Gorkinsko-Ometyevsky forest for hours and not get bored: there are paths for pedestrians and cyclists, playgrounds, a fountain, a swing, a pump track, cute art objects and coffee shops to relax and warm up over a cup of espresso or cappuccino. There is also a public garden in the park: any resident of Kazan can make a garden bed there and grow their own vegetables or berries.

The main thing is that the creators of the project took care of nature conservation: there are many rare plants in the forests, some of which are even listed in the Red Book. So that modern entertainment, comfortable places for recreation, and natural resources coexist in the park, it was divided into three parts. The first is the Gorkinsky forest, where sports facilities are located. The second part is the central one, it separates two forests and includes a playground, a festival area, various places for recreation and sports. And in the third, Ometyevsky forest, eco-trails were made - paths along which you can safely walk through the forest, observing plants, animals and insects, but not disturbing them.

2. Cycle paths in Almetyevsk

Almetyevsk is another city in Tatarstan that has something to boast about. There you can completely abandon the car - it is convenient and safe to move around the city by bike. This has become a reality thanks to a whole network of tracks with a length of more than 200 kilometers.

The project was developed together with specialists from Copenhagen - most of the population travels there on bicycles all year round. The paths were covered with a special top layer that does not require replacement for a long time and does not let the grass through. Lighting was placed along the paths, making it easy to navigate even at night, and bins are tilted - you can throw out garbage without stopping or getting off the vehicle.

And that is not all. On some sections of the cycle paths, traffic lights and even points for self-pumping of wheels are installed. You can ride at any time of the year: in winter, the tracks are cleaned of snow and ice.

3. Central square in Izhevsk

A few years ago, residents of Izhevsk recognized the Central Square as the main object requiring improvement. Although it was large and located in the very heart of the city, it did not attract people to itself: the tiled surface was cracked and sagged in places, there were no entertainment or recreational opportunities there. The landscaping project corrected this.

Now the area is divided into functional zones for different age groups. There is a dry fountain that turns into a skating rink in winter, an observation deck with benches, a garden with a lawn. At the same time, the space, at the request of Izhevsk residents, still looks quite spacious and empty: this was done to keep an open view of the Izhevsk pond.

Regions are developing their own programs and initiatives to improve public spaces. Thanks to them, cities are becoming more modern and comfortable. Helping regions to implement improvement projects even more actively is one of the tasks of the national project "". Every year, with his support, thousands of public spaces and adjoining territories are transformed, and at the same time the urban environment index is growing: it is planned that by 2030 its average value among Russian cities will increase by 1.5 times.

The program "", which is being implemented within the framework of the national project, also helps to turn an ordinary street or an empty square into a point of attraction for residents and tourists. Points for transformation are chosen annually in each region, having previously learned the opinion of residents. In 2021, you could vote for your favorite projects on the State Services portal or on a special platform. The initiatives that received the most votes will be implemented as early as next year. For example, in Chelyabinsk the territory next to the Yunost Sports Palace will be cleaned up, and in Tula - Molodezhny Boulevard.

4. Upland park in Vladivostok

For a long time the park was abandoned and unsuitable for comfortable walks and recreation. However, the potential of the territory was always noticeable: the relief and the view of the entire city from some points of the park. But there was one problem: in the center of Nagorny Park there are parking lots that cannot be removed.

Therefore, in the improvement project, it was decided to divide the territory into two functional parts, separated by a road. The approach to the park was equipped with a pedestrian crossing with a safety island, and a food court was placed at the entrance area. The renewed Upland Park was opened this summer.

Concrete paths, an amphitheater for events, benches, observation points, a wooden playground, a small pond and a neighboring center - a pavilion with a coffee shop, where you can warm up, have a snack and chat, appeared in it. The landscaping of the lower part of the park has now been completed, and the upper one should be completed next year.

5. "Art-KVADRAT" in Ufa

Art-KVADRAT is located in the very heart of Ufa, not far from the zero kilometer and the Bashkir State Opera and Ballet Theater. On the territory of the center there was once a tea-packing factory "Vogau and Co". In memory of this, a series of mosaic panels was placed there, telling the story of the Vogau family of entrepreneurs.

The center for recreation, entertainment and education is similar in atmosphere to "New Holland" in St. Petersburg. And the filling there is appropriate. On the territory of "Art-KVADRAT" there are cafes and bars, shops and showrooms, educational centers for the development of creative abilities and communication skills.

The center houses several spaces where lectures, seminars, musical and poetry evenings, theater performances, sports competitions and city meetings are held. Walking through the center, you can see eight art objects.

6. Square named after Sverdlov in Nizhny Novgorod

The square was a small area in the center of Nizhny Novgorod, next to a public transport stop and the former building of the Noble Assembly. Many townspeople and tourists constantly pass by the park, and on Sundays a flea market opens there. Therefore, turning the territory into a cool public space was simply necessary.

Now in the Sverdlov square there is a modern play area for children, a lot of seats, a wooden flooring that is comfortable to walk on. Red decorative elements unite the space and at the same time draw attention to it.

The square will be bigger soon. The improvement project was immediately conceived as a two-stage, the second stage of work is underway right now. The existing territory will be joined by the space behind the Mercure hotel. There will be a workout area, an additional play area and a swing for adults and children.

7. Park "Krasnodar" in Krasnodar

This large park - 22.7 hectares - next to the stadium of the Krasnodar football club looks interesting both up close and from above. All thanks to the multi-tiered relief, cut with curly paths. In addition, many different trees are planted on its territory, including pine, ornamental plum, oak, poplar, tulip tree. In spring and summer, the park becomes even more colorful thanks to the blossoming flowers. By the way, there is even lavender growing there.

You can walk around Krasnodar on foot or by bike. The lawn is not closed: it is allowed to walk, sit, lie, play ball on it. The park has playgrounds, catering points, a water labyrinth, a rope park, a basketball court, a fountain that turns into a skating rink in winter, and other entertainment for every taste. And in the center of Krasnodar there is an amphitheater: concerts, film screenings and other events are held there.

8. Yenisei embankment in Divnogorsk

Until recently, the Yenisei embankment was a simple gray square with a large green island in the middle. There you could stop on a pontoon, look at the course of the river and go on about your business. The landscaping project has turned this place into a comfortable two-tiered public space for people of all ages where they want to spend time.

In the center of the square, a playground was formed, on which, in addition to entertainment for children, a swing for adults was installed. The berths were turned into observation decks with wooden decks, pergolas and unusual chaise lounges, shaped like mountains. And at the edge of the upper tier, they put bar counters and high chairs on which you can have a lunch break or just sit for a long time and admire nature.

Also on the embankment there are benches with a roof and three plank walls - for those who want privacy. The road to the lower tier was equipped with several stairs and special slopes for parents with wheelchairs and people with disabilities.

There is also a building with a geometric roof reminiscent of local landscapes. It houses an information center, a cafe, a restroom, and a mother and child room. The remaining space of the square was marked with white stripes and raised hemispheres were added so that it could be used as a skate park.

Nice public spaces are needed not only in the capital and million-plus cities, but also in small ones like Divnogorsk. The regions understand this and implement cool projects, like this embankment of the Yenisei. The national project "" also does not stand aside. Within the framework of it, it is held for cities with a population of up to 100 thousand people and small historical settlements. This year, 307 improvement projects were submitted for the competition. The jury selected the 160 best and distributed the prize fund between them - 10 billion rubles. In the next two years, these projects will be implemented. New public spaces will appear in Klin, Rzhev, Tuapse, Zelenogradsk and other cities of Russia.