Since 2015, Tatarstan has been changing rapidly thanks to the Public Spaces Development Program. To date, more than 300 new parks have appeared in the Republic: not only in cities, but also in villages, not only on the banks of rivers or in forests, but also at the site of parking lots, open heating networks, wastelands and marginal outskirts. One of the goals of the Program is to find and articulate the identity of the place, thereby changing the image of the city, shifting the focus from the Soviet unified heritage to something new, or partially forgotten, but in any case unique.
For several years of work, a team has formed and principles have been developed: start each project with a search for local features, involve the local community in the work, think over the event and economic program of the space, strive for all-season and comfort for all categories of residents, make MAFs according to individual projects, from local materials and by local production.
The accumulated experience allowed Tatarstan to become the leader in terms of the number of grants in the All-Russian competition for the improvement of small towns and historical settlements. The successes of the Program are recognized by the Aga Khan Prize. In this conversation, one cannot fail to mention Natalia Fishman-Bekmambetova, assistant to the President of the Republic of Tatarstan, who stands at the origins of the Program.
We have compiled a detailed guide that tells about the most successful new spaces in Tatarstan. The first part is devoted to the city's "central" parks. The second is for water parks and beaches, and the third is for small towns and villages.
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Gorkinsko-Ometyevsky forest, Kazan
Gorkinsko-Ometyevsky Forest is the first new park that has appeared in Kazan in 30 years, one of the first implemented parks of the program. Its territory was part of a large green area on the outskirts of the city, which was getting smaller due to the construction of residential areas and roads. There have always been many skiers and athletes here, but ordinary residents bypassed the forest because of the criminality.
The first step was the cancellation of the construction of the highway, which was supposed to divide the array into two parts. The forest was cleared, the emergency trees were replaced with new ones. Having developed a system of paths, we outlined the zones where children and sports grounds can be placed without disturbing the landscape. Then they assembled large objects - an arch at the main entrance, a festival stage and a pedestrian bridge over a ravine.
All ski tracks have been preserved: now they are illuminated, there is navigation for beginners, and a pavilion with changing rooms and showers, ski rental, a cafe, a mother and child room has appeared at the main entrance. It is important that the streams of athletes and vacationers are separated, people do not interfere with each other. Eco-trails pass by the most valuable and interesting species of trees and forest areas.
Several objects of the park were awarded the Archiwood prize: an eco-center, a playground "Fairy Forest", Gorka-Lisa. The park also has a pump track, a walking and training area for dogs, several art objects, and a cluster of pavilions where you can practice drawing, yoga or stargazing.
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zooming 1/8 Gorkinsko-Ometyevsky forest Project manager Daria Tolovenkova, chief architects of the project: Pavel Medvedev, Anastasia Yaremenko. Photo courtesy of the press service of the Program for the Development of Public Spaces of the Republic of Tatarstan
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zooming 2/8 Gorkinsko-Ometyevsky forest. Environmental Center Project manager Daria Tolovenkova, chief architects of the project: Pavel Medvedev, Anastasia Yaremenko. Photo courtesy of the press service of the Program for the Development of Public Spaces of the Republic of Tatarstan
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zooming 3/8 Gorkinsko-Ometyevsky forest, sports base Project manager Daria Tolovenkova, main project architects: Pavel Medvedev, Anastasia Yaremenko. Photo courtesy of the press service of the Program for the Development of Public Spaces of the Republic of Tatarstan
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zooming 4/8 Gorkinsko-Ometyevsky forest, playground Project manager Daria Tolovenkova, main project architects: Pavel Medvedev, Anastasia Yaremenko. Photo courtesy of the press service of the Program for the Development of Public Spaces of the Republic of Tatarstan
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zooming 5/8 Gorkinsko-Ometyevsky forest, summer stage Project manager Daria Tolovenkova, main project architects: Pavel Medvedev, Anastasia Yaremenko. Photo courtesy of the press service of the Program for the Development of Public Spaces of the Republic of Tatarstan
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zooming 6/8 Gorkinsko-Ometyevsky forest. Night Bridge Project manager Daria Tolovenkova, chief architects of the project: Pavel Medvedev, Anastasia Yaremenko. Photo courtesy of the press service of the Program for the Development of Public Spaces of the Republic of Tatarstan
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zooming 7/8 Gorkinsko-Ometyevsky forest Photo courtesy of the press service of the Program for the Development of Public Spaces of the Republic of Tatarstan
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zooming 8/8 Gorkinsko-Ometyevsky forest Project manager Daria Tolovenkova, chief architects of the project: Pavel Medvedev, Anastasia Yaremenko. Photo courtesy of the press service of the Program for the Development of Public Spaces of the Republic of Tatarstan
Boulevard "White Flowers", Kazan
Not so long ago, it was a spontaneous parking lot in a vacant lot between two microdistricts, and now it is a bright green promenade, saturated with forms, textures and functions.
The boulevard is named after a novel popular in Soviet times, written by Abdurakhman Absalyamov. On one side, the park begins with an area decorated with "buttons" of a typewriter with the letters of the Tatar alphabet. Another reference is the many white flowers planted all over the boulevard. In addition to them, however, many other plants appeared, including more than a thousand full-size trees.
The main beauty of the boulevard is that it offers different ways to spend your time. Like children: there is a clearing for active games with a ball or frisbee, nest houses, a sandbox under a canopy, trampolines and hills to run along. So it is for adults: you can go in for sports, retire for work or reading, have a picnic, organize a holiday. The center of the park is a “city living room”: with a pedestrian fountain, a canopy with lighting and sockets, more intimate spaces.
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zooming 1/4 Boulevard "White Flowers" AB "Park" + Project group 8
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zooming 2/4 Boulevard "White Flowers" AB "Park" + Project group 8
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zooming 3/4 White Flowers Boulevard Park JSB + Project Group 8
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zooming 4/4 Microdistrict before the creation of White Flowers Boulevard Photo courtesy of the press service of the Program for the Development of Public Spaces of the Republic of Tatarstan
Park "Family", Nizhnekamsk
A forest in the central part of Nizhnekamsk was landscaped for the 50th anniversary of the city, turning it into a classic family park, but in a modern sound. The space is formed by two main alleys and a system of paths, along which there are sports and playgrounds, cafe pavilions that look like birdhouses, a square with a pedestrian fountain, an open amphitheater and water fun.
In the birch grove and pine forest, zones for quiet rest have been formed.
The main entrance, an arched bike bridge, connects two looped bike paths along the perimeter of the park. In winter, they are used as ski slopes. And the hill with the amphitheater turns into a slide for sledding. At the suggestion of the residents of Nizhnekamsk, a 180-meter TV tower located next to the park was illuminated with the help of a seven-level LED garland 2.5 kilometers long.
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zooming 1/6 City Park "Family" © Architect Emil Sirazitdinov
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zooming 2/6 City Park "Family" © Architect Emil Sirazitdinov
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zooming 3/6 City Park "Family" © Architect Emil Sirazitdinov
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zooming 4/6 City Park "Family" © Architect Emil Sirazitdinov
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zooming 5/6 City Park "Family" © Architect Emil Sirazitdinov
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zooming 6/6 City Park "Family" © Architect Emil Sirazitdinov
Lemaev Square, Nizhnekamsk
Lemaev Square is located across the street from the Semya Park; it was important for the architects to create an independent space with their audience.
The previous system of paths - beautiful in plan, but rather useless, was removed, and instead of it, really popular directions were paved with cobblestones and accentuated the entrance with a front arch. The main attraction of the square is a laser projection in the center of the rebuilt fountain, which shows the logos of the city's main industries. The media stands along the alley show videos about the history of the city. The children's playground according to an individual project was named "Stages of Creativity": it is divided into thematic zones - music, theater, drawing and others.
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zooming 1/6 Lemaev Square Photo courtesy of the press service of the Program for the Development of Public Spaces of the Republic of Tatarstan
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zooming 2/6 Lemaev Square Photo courtesy of the press service of the Program for the Development of Public Spaces of the Republic of Tatarstan
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zooming 3/6 Lemaev Square Photo courtesy of the press service of the Program for the Development of Public Spaces of the Republic of Tatarstan
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zooming 4/6 Lemaev Square Photo courtesy of the press service of the Program for the Development of Public Spaces of the Republic of Tatarstan
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zooming 5/6 Lemaev Square Photo courtesy of the press service of the Program for the Development of Public Spaces of the Republic of Tatarstan
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zooming 6/6 Lemaev Square Photo courtesy of the press service of the Program for the Development of Public Spaces of the Republic of Tatarstan
Park "Health", Almetyevsk
The park is located near the Children's and Central hospitals of the city, so it was supposed to become an island of peace and quiet, which helps to recover faster. For this, in addition to the existing forest area, 400 conifers were planted, paths were turned into paths, and simulators were installed for the rehabilitation of patients and people with disabilities. A rope park and other playgrounds made of natural materials, as well as a domed planetarium, appeared for children. An indispensable fountain was opened on the main square.
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zooming 1/11 Park "Health" Photo courtesy of the press service of the Program for the Development of Public Spaces of the Republic of Tatarstan
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zooming 2/11 Park "Health" Photo courtesy of the press service of the Program for the Development of Public Spaces of the Republic of Tatarstan
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zooming 3/11 Park "Health" Photo courtesy of the press service of the Program for the Development of Public Spaces of the Republic of Tatarstan
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zooming 4/11 Park "Health" Photo courtesy of the press service of the Program for the Development of Public Spaces of the Republic of Tatarstan
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zooming 5/11 Park "Health" Photo courtesy of the press service of the Program for the Development of Public Spaces of the Republic of Tatarstan
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zooming 6/11 Park "Health" Photo courtesy of the press service of the Program for the Development of Public Spaces of the Republic of Tatarstan
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zooming 7/11 Park "Health" Photo courtesy of the press service of the Program for the Development of Public Spaces of the Republic of Tatarstan
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zooming 8/11 Park "Health" Photo courtesy of the press service of the Program for the Development of Public Spaces of the Republic of Tatarstan
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zooming 9/11 Park "Health" Photo courtesy of the press service of the Program for the Development of Public Spaces of the Republic of Tatarstan
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zooming 10/11 Park "Health" Photo courtesy of the press service of the Program for the Development of Public Spaces of the Republic of Tatarstan
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zooming 11/11 Park "Health" Photo courtesy of the press service of the Program for the Development of Public Spaces of the Republic of Tatarstan
Cascade of ponds, Almetyevsk
A cascade of three ponds adjoins the lake, where the "Beach" resort area is located; now it has turned into the central recreational artery of the city. During the reconstruction, they took into account that the townspeople love extreme sports, and equipped a special area with a climbing wall, rollerdrome, obstacle courses. In general, the space is universal, residents especially praise the playgrounds. The ponds were cleared, reinforced, and swan houses were erected.
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zooming 1/4 Cascade of ponds Photo courtesy of the press service of the Program for the Development of Public Spaces of the Republic of Tatarstan
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zooming 2/4 Cascade of ponds Photo courtesy of the press service of the Public Spaces Development Program of the Republic of Tatarstan
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zooming 3/4 Cascade of ponds Photo provided by the press service of the Program for the Development of Public Spaces of the Republic of Tatarstan
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zooming 4/4 Cascade of ponds Photo courtesy of the press service of the Program for the Development of Public Spaces of the Republic of Tatarstan
City lake and park "Avangard", Zelenodolsk
The park was seriously changed after only one repair of the storm sewer, which littered the lake, and turned the wooded part into a swamp. Additionally, a fountain was built, which provides aeration of the water, not allowing it to stagnate.
The shores of the lake were strengthened, a lawn was laid, and two-level sidewalks with descents to the water were built along the perimeter. The wooden terrace has a double function: on the side of the newlyweds' walkway it is a long ergonomic bench, and on the side of the lake there is a pier.
Also in the park, the dance floor of the 1970s was restored, new walking paths appeared. The playground repeats the outlines of the Cheryomushka ship, which was produced at a local shipyard.
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zooming 1/7 Embankment and park "Avangard" Photo courtesy of the press service of the Program for the Development of Public Spaces of the Republic of Tatarstan
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zooming 2/7 Embankment and park "Avangard" © Architectural landing
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zooming 3/7 Embankment and park "Avangard" Photo courtesy of the press service of the Program for the Development of Public Spaces of the Republic of Tatarstan
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zooming 4/7 Embankment and park "Avangard" Photo courtesy of the press service of the Program for the Development of Public Spaces of the Republic of Tatarstan
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zooming 5/7 Embankment and park "Avangard" Photo courtesy of the press service of the Program for the Development of Public Spaces of the Republic of Tatarstan
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zooming 6/7 Embankment and park "Avangard" Photo courtesy of the press service of the Program for the Development of Public Spaces of the Republic of Tatarstan
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zooming 7/7 Embankment and park "Avangard" © Architectural landing
Cascade of ponds Kamyshla, Leninogorsk
The water park in the central part of the city was given a neater and more modern look.
A distinct beach area appeared: the bottom of the reservoirs was cleared of silt, the banks were sprinkled with river sand and reinforced with wild stone, sun loungers and openwork canopies were installed from the sun. The beach line was ennobled with green pockets with sod and bladder bushes, lighting was carried out.
The embankment, which offers panoramic views, has also changed. A stage and an amphitheater were built here, which can be used by the nearby oil technical school, music school and registry office. Next to the latter, the observation deck was ennobled, which was used for photo sessions: the wrought iron railings were removed, the terrace was sheathed with pine, and a flowerpot with flowers was hung. A summer cafe was added to the middle level of the embankment, in front of which a pier with a boat station was built: tables from the cafe can be taken out to the pier.
The area around the restored sculptures of an octopus, crocodile and fish has been turned into a large play area with a dry fountain and a huge sandbox. The lighthouse was also restored - now it shines in the night.
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zooming 1/9 Embankment of the Kamyshla pond cascade Photo courtesy of the press service of the Program for the Development of Public Spaces of the Republic of Tatarstan
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zooming 2/9 Embankment of the Kamyshla cascade of ponds Photo courtesy of the press service of the Program for the Development of Public Spaces of the Republic of Tatarstan
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zooming 3/9 Embankment of the Kamyshla cascade of ponds Photo courtesy of the press service of the Program for the Development of Public Spaces of the Republic of Tatarstan
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zooming 4/9 Embankment of the Kamyshla cascade of ponds Photo courtesy of the press service of the Program for the Development of Public Spaces of the Republic of Tatarstan
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zooming 5/9 Embankment of the Kamyshla pond cascade Photo courtesy of the press service of the Program for the Development of Public Spaces of the Republic of Tatarstan
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zooming 6/9 Embankment of the Kamyshla cascade of ponds Photo courtesy of the press service of the Program for the Development of Public Spaces of the Republic of Tatarstan
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zooming 7/9 Embankment of the Kamyshla pond cascade Photo courtesy of the press service of the Program for the Development of Public Spaces of the Republic of Tatarstan
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zooming 8/9 Embankment of the Kamyshla pond cascade Photo courtesy of the press service of the Program for the Development of Public Spaces of the Republic of Tatarstan
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zooming 9/9 Embankment of the Kamyshla pond cascade Photo courtesy of the press service of the Program for the Development of Public Spaces of the Republic of Tatarstan
Azatlyk Square, Naberezhnye Chelny
Everyone can imagine the square of a small town where the main New Year tree is being erected: an empty asphalt space with a monument and a facade of the administration. Azatlyk Square has gone far from this image.
The main pedestrian alley was moved from the center to the border. Along it there are pavilions and platforms that show what the city is rich in.
The vacated space was occupied by the area for events, the “culture square” with a round fountain, which turns into a skating rink in winter, and a green area with lawns and flower beds. The café-amphitheater and the Spiral observation deck are painted in the colors of the cabins of KamAZ, a city-forming enterprise.
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