Urban Space – to feel, to understand, To construct

Moscow pursues the global city-planning concept: architecture in part represents the city’s image and is an important criterion of the city’s development. The Capital’s Chief architect S. O. Kuznetsov in his interview to the Herald puts us wise to the reasoning behind such choice: urban architecture as part of the environment is shaping the society at large. City planners today stick to the principle of “citizen friendly” urban design. The urban fabric must be comfortable and easy-to-understand to its inhabitants. Part of the projects is unwrapping in formerly industrial zones, another part unfolds in the existing neighborhoods. The industrial zones allow for designing from ground zero, in line with the cutting-edge international standards. The renovation program projects must take account of the infrastructure already in place and spare the emblematic structures of the past. Upgrading the Moscow river embankments’ is currently on top of Moscow authorities’ priorities list. The notion of the Moscow river as the city’s main axis will help shape the citizens’ more positive view of the neighborhoods that are beyond the bounds of the city center, while greater and versatile recreational space along the river banks will boost people’s social inclusion into more active lifestyles.