As we have already written, this week in St. Petersburg the finalists of the first round of the competition for projects of the judicial quarter on the site of the "Embankment of Europe" were announced. Novaya Gazeta spoke with experts about the shortcomings of organizing the competition, which was held behind closed doors and in a very short time. Specialists' complaints, in particular, were caused by the statement of the problem: "only the architectural aspect is considered, without any connection with engineering, transport and other important components." As well as the composition of the jury, which is dominated by officials and representatives of the customer.
Meanwhile, in St. Petersburg, there has been a certainty in the fate of another territory, which has become a popular place of cultural leisure for the townspeople over the past three years. New Holland Island has finally closed for renovation. However, as reported by the newspaper "Nevskoe Vremya", the reconstruction project has not yet been finally approved. At the moment, its active discussion continues in Smolny. After approval, the project is promised to be presented to the public.
And in Moscow, an experiment is underway to modernize 12 district libraries, the purpose of which is to transform them from premises divorced from city life into high-quality public spaces. The first two libraries, on Chistoprudny Boulevard and on Leninsky Prospect, were recently reopened. According to Afisha, what they have in common is the absence of curtains, spacious reading rooms and a minimum of bureaucratic procedures.
This week there was also news about the renovation of the capital's industrial zones. As Izvestia was informed, the authorities have decided on a list of the first industrial zones that will not be given over to residential and public buildings, but will retain their production function. The main reason for the preservation of production in these areas is their poor ecology and transport accessibility.
In the meantime, old territories are being brought back to life in Moscow, interesting urban planning experiments are being carried out in the regions. Rossiyskaya Gazeta told about an ecological village being built in the suburbs of Omsk. The participants of this project had the opportunity to study ancient technologies of Russian architecture and modern technologies of eco-construction under the guidance of experienced builders and architects. And also apply the knowledge gained in practice.
"Urban planning experiments", but already on the historical heritage, seem to continue in St. Petersburg, where last week Smolny presented a project for the preservation of the historical center of the city. The defenders of the cultural heritage, we recall, criticized the document prepared by the authorities, in which the word "demolition" is encountered with enviable regularity. As reported by "Fontanka", the experts of VOOPIiK together with the deputies of the Legislative Assembly decided to prepare their own, alternative version of the bill. It is planned to present it to the governor at the next meeting of the City Council.
Meanwhile, the struggle for architectural monuments continues in the capital. This week Archi.ru published a study by the expert Ekaterina Shorban, concerned that the communal house of architect Ivan Nikolaev is losing its authenticity due to the ongoing "reconstruction with restoration". Another monument of constructivism was under threat in Korolev, near Moscow. According to RIAN Real Estate, local authorities are going to demolish the Building Bureau, which is part of the ensemble of the Bolshevsk Labor Commune. The Ministry of Culture of the Moscow Region asked them to postpone the demolition until the completion of the historical and cultural examination.
Also this week it became known that the prosecutor's office, having considered the appeal of "Arkhnadzor", recognized the destruction of a part of the Circular Depot illegal, - this was reported on the website of the movement. As a result, submissions were sent to the Moscow City Heritage Agency and Russian Railways on the elimination of violations of the law.
By the way, a photograph of the Circular Depot, among others, is presented among the exhibits of the restless exhibition of "Arkhnadzor". At the moment, the exposition, according to Afisha, has moved to the Artplay design center. The organizers hope to make the exhibition mobile. If, of course, there are sites.
