From industrial zones to innovative spaces: how the creative economy is reshaping Russia

The strategy of regional and municipal leadership based on traditional sectors of the economy is undergoing change. Russia is opening a new chapter in territorial and spatial development, with a vast number of new, truly effective approaches and tools emerging in the creative economy. They ensure competitiveness and help retain people within the regions. Experts discussed this on 26 September at the National Centre RUSSIA during the plenary session "New Scenarios for the Development of Territories and Cities in the Age of the Creative Economy", part of the business programme of the Russian Creative Week.

"Regions and municipalities across our country have actively engaged in the development of the creative economy. We need a two-way movement between the authorities and representatives of the creative industries. There are examples of such practices in Russia. For instance, in the town of Sysert in the Sverdlovsk region, creative businesses and the authorities joined in a kind of synergy that allowed personal income tax revenues to grow two and a half times over four years. This happened not only through new jobs but also thanks to wage growth. Together with the Higher School of Public Administration of the Presidential Academy and the All-Russian Association for the Development of Local Self-Government, we are incorporating this successful experience into training programmes for municipal heads. These include 'School for Mayors', 'School for Municipal Teams', and 'Digital University for Municipalities'. The annual 'Service' Award recognises the best municipal employees, not only heads but also ordinary staff who implement creative projects in municipalities," said Yevgeny Grachev, Deputy Head of the Presidential Directorate for Domestic Policy of the Russian Federation.

Photo: Press Office of the National Centre RUSSIA

Sociology plays a crucial role in territorial development. According to the overwhelming majority of surveys, citizens want Russia to be not only strong and just but also comfortable. Society’s needs have changed.

"Municipal leaders are finally realising that people’s needs today are different from what they were in the past. They need opportunities for self-fulfilment. That is why, in my view, the mayor — as the producer of the city — must be a visionary and act in line with new realities and these new demands. In any case, synergy is essential, as is a clear understanding of where we are heading and what legacy we will leave behind," said Yulia Talalaykina, Deputy Director of the Department of Strategic Projects at the Ministry of Construction, Housing and Utilities of Russia.

In response to the new challenges of the creative economy, urban planning is also being rethought, which brings certain complexities.

Photo: Press Office of the National Centre RUSSIA

"In our cities, large entertainment and mixed-use public spaces have long developed. But when we talk about creative business, different approaches are required. Often, these industries produce unique products in just five square metres. At the same time, they are not located in apartments or industrial zones. Therefore, planning must be ready for this complexity," said Anton Finogenov, Vice President of the Russian Guild of Property Managers and Developers and Deputy CEO of DOM.RF. 

According to the expert, no one can yet say what an ideal industrial zone will look like in 15 years. That is why projects should focus more on creating multifunctional facilities and, again, public spaces. These are not only places for leisure but also for vital communication.

The transition to systematic planning is a crucial stage in the creative development of cities, and the first important steps in this direction have already been taken. Speaking at the plenary session of the 10th Eastern Economic Forum in Vladivostok, Vladimir Putin instructed the Ministry of Finance of Russia to allocate 5% of the spending of relevant state programmes, including in the social sphere and infrastructure, to the implementation of master plans for cities in the Far East.

"In terms of managing these projects, we have our own information system dedicated specifically to master plans. It contains a methodology for managing the construction of creative spaces. At first glance, everything seems straightforward. But the main difficulty is understanding in advance which scenario elements and concepts for resident policy will be laid down. Because if we start purchasing equipment for a creative cluster before we understand who its residents will be, that equipment may end up useless — it may be of no use to anyone," explained Vyacheslav Zavalin, Director of the Department for Territorial Development of the Corporation for the Development of the Far East and the Arctic.

Photo: Press Office of the National Centre RUSSIA

According to the speaker, system-based implementation of master plans is even more important than the construction itself. One of the most significant creative industries is architecture and urban development. Without fostering it in the regions, there will only be builders and designers. In that case, it is unlikely that cities will acquire a genuinely creative identity.

At the conclusion of the plenary session, participants agreed that the development of creative industries has become the new normal. A system of city producers has also emerged and taken shape. And although each case is unique, it is fair to speak of a system. A new era requires new rules, and Russia is ready for them.

The Russian Creative Week is the largest forum-festival in the creative economy sector, held annually to bring together representatives of culture, media, technology and business. This year it runs from 25 to 27 September at the National Centre RUSSIA. Livestreams and recordings of the plenary sessions are available on the National Centre RUSSIA website in the "Livestrams and Recordings" section.