Vladimir Putin presented with the National Centre RUSSIA Architecture Council's initiative to shape the contemporary image of Russian territories
The Expert Council for Architecture and Urban Planning at the National Centre RUSSIA is helping to shape the contemporary image of the country — from developing the urban environment to finding architectural solutions that reflect the distinctive features of Russian territories. This was discussed with President of Russia Vladimir Putin at a meeting with representatives of urban planning and spatial development, where Pyotr Strelets, Director of the Amur Region Territorial Development Centre, spoke about the Expert Council's work. He noted that, together with the Expert Council, the region is launching an architectural competition dedicated to the contemporary image of Russia.
During his visit to Buryatia, Vladimir Putin met with leading representatives of urban planning and spatial development. Speaking about the importance of architecture for the development of cities, the President recalled his first impression of travelling beyond Leningrad. As a young man, he visited another major city, where he saw chaotic development and admitted that he was literally speechless with surprise because there were many buildings, but "there was no city".
"The thing is, I simply grew up in Leningrad, in the city centre, and I had seen everything around me since childhood. It was only later that I realised how important this harmony, captured in stone, is. It shapes a person's way of thinking and their cultural code. This is how important your work is. We are trying to move forward in many areas when it comes to the spatial development of the country. A list of 2,160 anchor settlements, which are home to 75 percent of Russia's population, has been drawn up. A development programme has been prepared for them, designed to strengthen the country's economic, social and infrastructure framework, fundamentally improve the quality and standards of life for millions of people, encourage young people to remain in their hometown or village and build their future there," Vladimir Putin said.
The President also stressed that architects, artists and other specialists create things that can survive for centuries, capturing a particular moment in history and shaping the image of an era. The task of creating a contemporary and recognisable image for Russian cities has now become part of the practical work of the Expert Council for Architecture and Urban Planning at the National Centre RUSSIA. The Expert Council brings together professionals working in architecture, urban environment and spatial development and contributes to developing solutions for Russian territories.
Pyotr Strelets, Director of the Amur Region Territorial Development Centre, gave one example of this work. He spoke about the development of the city of Blagoveshchensk, located just a few hundred metres from the Chinese city of Heihe, and described the region as the country's eastern "facade".
"I am not afraid to use this word: we are working on the "facade" of our country, its eastern "facade". And now we are getting ready for another major leap forward. Together with the Expert Council for Architecture and Urban Planning at the National Centre RUSSIA and the developer, we are launching an architectural competition to explore what the contemporary image of Russia is, what the "facade" of Russia is and what it should look like. And I very much hope that the results will be such that we can share them with other cities," Pyotr Strelets said.
He also spoke about major infrastructure and urban improvement projects in Blagoveshchensk, including the international road bridge, the cable car currently under construction, an almost eight-kilometre-long embankment, the Russian-Chinese Friendship House and other facilities. According to Pyotr Strelets, the new architectural competition should help identify solutions for the contemporary image of the territory. Its results are also intended to serve as experience that can be shared with other Russian cities.
Working with the regions is in line with one of the key objectives of the Expert Council for Architecture and Urban Planning at the National Centre RUSSIA — to seek up-to-date solutions for territorial development while taking into account each area's distinctive character, historical context and significance for the country's overall architectural image. During the meeting, Vladimir Putin also noted the prospects for the development of the Amur Region and the major projects being implemented there. The President also accepted Pyotr Strelets's invitation to attend the opening of the international cable car between Blagoveshchensk and the Chinese city of Heihe, scheduled for next year.
