RT President suggests holding seminars on city planning every month

Research and practice seminar for chiefs of ministries, agencies and heads of big Tatarstan cities on issues of city planning has been held at the Kazan university of architecture and building.

The RT President Rustam Minnikhanov, Prime Minister Ildar Khalikov, mayors of Kazan, Naberezhnye Chelny and Nizhnekamsk Ilsur Metshin, Vasil Shakhraziev, Aidar Metshin, Tatarstan’s Prosecutor Kafil Amirov, representatives of several ministries and agencies and the Presidential administration took part in the event called “Analysis of best practices of centers of the world cities in city planning”.

Scientists of the Kazan university of architecture and building, leading specialists in the sphere of city planning from Moscow and St.Petersburg told about modern approaches to city planning policy, shared their opinion regarding prospects of the Tatarstan capital as a modern megapolis.

The Dean of higher school of urban studies of the Higher School of Economics Alexandr Vysokovsky considers absence of the general plan that meets modern standards to be the main problem of the Kazan city planning. The city continues developing according to principles laid in 1969.

The expert believes that absolutely new approach is needed today. Besides restoration of historical buildings, it is important to maintain and develop green areas and create more comfortable conditions for people. Special emphasis must be put on “aestheticization” of urban environment.

As for transport problem, “connectivity” of road network must be provided. Besides construction of big highways, much attention should be paid to inter-quarter passages.

The scientist said that management mode, decision-making based on accurate social and economic research are main aspects of the city planning policy.

Professor of St.Petersburg State university of architecture and building Valery Nefedov told about most successful examples of urban environmental management in different European and world megapolises.