According to "Expert", the idea of holding the world universal exhibition EXPO in 2020 in Yekaterinburg was discussed during a recent working meeting between Russian President Dmitry Medvedev and Governor of the Sverdlovsk Region Alexander Misharin. Naturally, for the implementation of these ambitious plans, one desire is not enough - the city needs serious modernization and, in particular, the creation of a number of new exhibition areas and public and leisure centers. According to the information agency URA. Ru, the leadership of the Sverdlovsk region made a preliminary proposal to head this work to Josep Asebillo, the chief architect of Barcelona. Acebillo's experience is truly impressive: he was the one who oversaw the preparations of Barcelona for the 1992 Olympic Games, during which the city received more than 140 new public spaces, did not lose a single historical monument and was given the opportunity to implement a number of major cultural projects, including the Catalan Museum of Art, Concert Hall, National Theater and others.
Many publications have already rushed to note that Asebillo may become the first foreign city planner invited to the post of chief architect of a Russian city. However, although this position in Yekaterinburg is vacant (Grigory Mazayev left it in March 2010), so far it is more likely about cooperation with Asebillo as a consultant for the strategic development of the city. And, apparently, the Spaniard was interested in this proposal. At least during his first visit to Yekaterinburg, he already outlined several possible scenarios for the city's development. In particular, the architect spoke out for the transformation of the Ural capital into the "capital of Eurasia" and "a convenient logistics center for communication with northern ports, goods from which can be delivered to the Arctic Ocean", as well as for abandoning the existing master plan - calculated for 20 years. it seemed to Acebillo too "a static document for a developing metropolis."
We add that Josep Acebillo is already quite familiar with Russia - for example, he worked as a consultant on urban planning issues in Kazan for several years, and in 2008 he presented the architectural concept for holding the 2013 World Summer Student Games there. He has also advised the construction of the largest retail and office center in Krasnodar and has lectured on numerous occasions in different cities of the country.
N. K.
