The creation of pedestrian zones and the de-mobilization of the city center are not new topics for Russia. In recent years, Moscow, Perm, Yaroslavl and other cities have been successfully adopting the European experience, equipping pedestrian streets and bike paths.
The turn came to Vladimir. On April 7, 2014, the regional governor Svetlana Orlova announced a decision to create a pedestrian street in the city. However, instead of the much anticipated public approval, the authorities faced protests and indignation: residents of the city are categorically against turning the central city street into a pedestrian street.
And, indeed, a solution that at first glance is aimed at good, hides in itself many problems.
Pedestrian route Moscow – Nizhny Novgorod – Siberia To create a pedestrian zone, the central street of the city, Bolshaya Moskovskaya, was chosen, along which most of the monuments of architecture and history are concentrated. At the same time, Bolshaya Moskovskaya is a street with the maximum traffic intensity: 1400 cars and 137 buses pass along it in one hour.
The street was historically formed as a route Moscow-Nizhny Novgorod-Siberia, performed this function in ancient times and retains it now. The pedestrian zone design excludes traffic on a 510-meter section: from the Golden Gate to Gagarina Street, on the main tourist route of the city.
And I must say that the proposal of the authorities really does not stand up to criticism. At first glance, it is clear that the residents of Vladimir are worried not without reason: the existing traffic from Bolshaya Moskovskaya is supposed to be redistributed along parallel streets: the first and second Nikolsky and Knyagininskaya, the width of which, even if they are expanded, is insufficient. Several years ago, the construction of the Lybidskaya bypass highway was started, designed to relieve the center. However, the project was only partially implemented, then the work was stopped. Until their completion, there is no alternative to Bolshaya Moskovskaya. It is obvious that a transport collapse in the current situation is inevitable. Therefore, the initiative of the governor is not supported by either residents or experts.
The trolleybus will not pass
The ban on traffic on this section of the street will change six of the nine trolleybus routes. If a pedestrian center is created, five of them will be removed from the center, and one, connecting the south and west of the city, will cease to exist altogether (according to other sources, see.
petition, five trolleybus routes will be canceled). While many cities are trying to abandon fixed-route taxis due to their small capacity and the destructive effect of exhaust gases on the environment, the eco-friendly trolleybus will be replaced by minibuses in the center of Vladimir. This will not only increase the load on the transport network, but also raise the level of gas pollution in the city center. The existing bus routes will be changed and supplemented with minibuses, but they will all travel along the same first and second Nikolskaya, right under the windows of residential buildings.
Paving slabs along and across
At a public hearing on April 21, the authorities presented a project for a pedestrian zone. Judging by the materials presented, the historical street should turn into a space paved with paving slabs along and across, with several benches, lanterns and trees in tubs. At the same time, the most significant attraction on the entire site - the Golden Gate - will continue to be cut off from the pedestrian part by a circular detour.
The presented landscaping project is not approved not only by residents, but also by experts.
Irina Irbitskaya, architect, urbanist, director of the Center for Urban Development Competencies, RANEPA:
“I have big complaints about design. This solution reduces the use of the street. There should be no fixed elements in the middle of the street that obstruct the movement of pedestrians. A central lantern is a barrier for organizing concerts, for example. Concrete beds in the era of integral landscaping are puzzling. And, of course, there should be a competition, but this is all after serious research work has been carried out - the city needs a serious transport analysis”. ***
Based on the theory of "new urbanism", the concept of a pedestrian street works effectively when the ground floor spaces are given over to public functions, cafes and shops that can attract different categories of residents - both poor and rich. Urbanist Irina Irbitskaya believes that the functionality of the pedestrian zone should be thought about much earlier than its creation: “If the street turns into a pedestrian zone, the authorities first of all need to develop and implement a policy for the first floors, in particular, to think about rental prices and their regulation, possible benefits for socially oriented organizations ". Now, on the contrary, the residents of Vladimir are afraid that the already existing "small and medium-sized businesses" on Bolshaya Moskovskaya will go bankrupt after traffic is blocked, and the economy of the historical center will only suffer.
Residents and experts say that the optimal solution for Vladimir is the preservation of Bolshaya Moskovskaya as a transport and pedestrian street, leaving lanes there for public transport and limiting the movement of private cars. *** Irina Irbitskaya: “As an expert, I am for the pedestrian street in the historic center. This is undoubtedly the right tool for developing the economy of the first floors. The center of a historic city requires museification; it cannot fit into the new architecture. In this situation, I do not see an alternative route for public transport. At the moment, instead of an exclusively pedestrian, in my opinion, a pedestrian and transport street would be a reasonable choice”. *** Alternative project
A petition calling to preserve the movement of private and public transport on Bolshaya Moskovskaya until the construction of bypass roads is completed, to consider alternative options for walking routes and to hold a competition for a project from the arrangement - has already collected more than 4,000 signatures. The authors of the petition call the pedestrian zone "an old dream of all residents of Vladimir", but urge "not to turn it into an urban planning and social catastrophe." You can learn more about an alternative design for pedestrian zones here.
If we talk about options for pedestrian zones, then Vladimir could use the experience of Nevsky Prospekt in St. Petersburg and Khreshchatyk in Kiev, where transport gives way to pedestrians on weekends and holidays.
Masha Slavnova
urban architect, Meganom bureau; formerly a resident of the city of Vladimir:
“I think that there is no need to block Bolshaya Moskovskaya. This is the main artery of the city and a detailed transport analysis is needed to start. For pedestrianized streets, there are all sorts of secondary streets that "die". They just would not be prevented by the extra traffic of people - it would bring new life to old beautiful houses. The scale is much better on the streets that run down to the river. And the directions there are interesting: to the old pharmacy, to the music school.
The idea of overlapping is only possible as a Sunday theme or on holidays. This can create a lot of traffic problems, and besides, all the money will again be invested in the main street.
There are not so many tourists in Vladimir, there is not enough pedestrian traffic. Half of the stores will die, since it is not yet clear who will go there from among the residents. The pedestrian street should give new life to small lanes, with its help workshops, small (not chain) shops and cafes are opened.
The development of the pedestrian center should start not from the main axis, but from the secondary streets. They are no less interesting and full of potential in the center of Vladimir. You need to look closely at the analysis of transport, think about parking in the center better, and then these pedestrian branches will help make the city more comfortable and preserve history.
In the meantime, it seems to me that they will block everything, create a lot of problems, do it quickly and permanently (not flexibly), and only then they will think and put up sculptures and beer tents there. ***
Despite the obvious arguments, a dispute has been going on for over a month now - whether or not there should be a pedestrian zone on the main Vladimirskaya street? The authorities planned to test their idea on the weekend of May 2-3, but the experiment did not take place and was postponed indefinitely with reference to insufficient road preparation. The working group created as a result of public hearings under the leadership of the Public Chamber did not hold a single meeting. But the intention to stop traffic on Bolshaya Moskovskaya, apparently, was not postponed: the city is actively working on expanding parallel streets and installing bypass signs. And while the Vladimir activists argue and write petitions, the authorities are in a hurry and want to be in time by October - the anniversary of the region.
