Tatarstan is rich in water resources: what are only the Volga and Kama, a rare settlement does without a pond, lake or river. The republic declared 2016 the year of water protection zones, during this time it was possible to improve 21 embankments, often accompanying the work with significant environmental measures. There are ponds safe for swimming, equipped beaches, slopes to the water - this is especially important for the residents of Tatarstan, since the summer in the middle lane can be very hot. An important common feature is special paths and systems that allow people with limited mobility not only to get close to the water without problems, but also to swim.
In the second part of the guide, we will tell you about the most interesting spaces that have appeared by the water. You can find out more about the Program for the Development of Public Spaces and City Parks of Tatarstan in the first part of the review, and about small towns and villages in its third part.
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Embankment and beach "Kamskoe more", Laishevo
Laishevo is located 60 km from Kazan on the shore of the Kuibyshev reservoir, at the mouth of the Kama. The river in these places spreads so widely that it becomes like the sea: the opposite bank is not visible. The architects, inspired by the clear line of the skyline and the sailing regatta taking place here, sought to recreate the atmosphere of a seaside resort.
The main entrance is accentuated by the observation deck "Lighthouse" with a binoscope, and a 177-meter pergola begins from here. The pergola leads to a wooden walkway along the coastline, along which showers and changing rooms are located. Art objects will also appear along the coast. One of them, a plow immersed in the sand, the main symbol on the city's coat of arms, has become the most popular place for photo shoots in Laishevo.
The beach will continue to be landscaped: plans, for example, to establish a "sand farm", with which you can move sand, sift, make "Easter cakes" and create drawings.
In the year of opening, the beach set a record, receiving 20 thousand visitors in one day.
More about the project>
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zooming 1/9 "Kamskoe sea", the central city beach and the embankment of the river. Kama © 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 "Kamskoye Sea", the central city beach and the embankment of the river. Kama © 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 "Kamskoe sea", the central city beach and the embankment of the r. Kama © 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 "Kamskoye Sea", the central city beach and the embankment of the river. Kama © 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 "Kamskoye Sea", the central city beach and the embankment of the river. Kama © 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 "Kamskoe sea", the central city beach and the embankment of the river. Kama © 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 "Kamskoye Sea", the central city beach and the embankment of the river. Kama © 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 "Kamskoye Sea", the central city beach and the embankment of the river. Kama © 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 "Kamskoe sea", the central city beach and the embankment of the r. Kama © Photo courtesy of the press service of the Program for the Development of Public Spaces of the Republic of Tatarstan
Tourist and recreational zone "Beach", Almetyevsk
Almetyevsk with a population of about 150 thousand people is located a little further from the Volga and Kama, but within the city there are ponds and lakes. On the shore of one of them appeared "Beach" - a landscaped area with the infrastructure of a small resort.
To create a recreational area, first of all, it was necessary to clear the lake so that you could swim. For this, storm sewers were removed and a strain of microalgae Chlorella vulgaris was launched, which saturates the reservoir with oxygen and prevents it from blooming. Moisture-loving plants were planted along the coast: loosestrife, meadowsweet and purse. Cattail, sedge and iris have been preserved - they are natural biological filters.
The wide strip of white sandy beach is complemented by a vibrant outdoor pool - pictures with it were circulated in the media after the Aga Khan Prize was awarded to Tatarstan. In addition, a climbing wall, sports and playgrounds, a two-storey pavilion for fitness and yoga classes appeared on the shore of the lake. The wake station also functions in winter - already for training snowboarders. A walking path was built around the lake in the shade of trees.
More about the project>
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zooming 1/7 Tourist and recreational zone "Beach" 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 Tourist and recreational zone "Beach" 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 3/7 Tourist and recreational zone "Beach" 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 Tourist and recreational zone "Beach" 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 "Krasny Klyuch" 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 Tourist and recreational zone "Beach" 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 Tourist and recreational zone "Beach" Photo courtesy of the press service of the Program for the Development of Public Spaces of the Republic of Tatarstan
Kaban lake system, Kazan
The Kaban lake system is one of the largest in Tatarstan, and is located in the central part of the republic's capital. In 2015, an international competition for a development concept was held: the Russian-Chinese consortium Turenscape + MAP won, which proposed a "ribbon" uniting all three lakes with their natural and cultural sites, as well as living spaces. The application was won by a system of natural water purification, already implemented: it is a cascade of water ponds with plants that filter and purify the water of the lower Kaban Lake.
The lakes will be connected by a continuous pedestrian promenade along the water with a bicycle path. The landscape will be enriched: more than 30 species of new plants have already been planted, including aquatic ones, which grow well and attract new birds and insects.
Lighting and small architectural forms will appear. You can already imagine how the lakes will look like now: part of the embankment of the lower lake Kaban is landscaped and popular: here you can not only walk nicely, but also fish, keep children busy with an interesting game with water, and events on the site in front of the theater are scheduled months in advance.
More about the project>
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zooming 1/12 Development and improvement of the embankments of the Lake Kaban system 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 2/12 Development and improvement of the embankments of the Lake Kaban system 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 3/12 Development and improvement of the embankments of the Lake Kaban system 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 4/12 Development and improvement of the embankments of the Kaban Lake system 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 5/12 Development and improvement of the embankments of the Lake Kaban system 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 6/12 Development and improvement of the embankments of the Lake Kaban system 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 7/12 Development and improvement of the embankments of the Lake Kaban system 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 8/12 Development and improvement of the embankments of the Lake Kaban system 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 9/12 Development and improvement of the embankments of the Lake Kaban system 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 10/12 Development and improvement of the embankments of the Lake Kaban system 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 11/12 Development and improvement of the embankments of the Lake Kaban system 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 12/12 Development and improvement of the embankments of the Lake Kaban system Photo courtesy of the press service of the Program for the Development of Public Spaces of the Republic of Tatarstan
Central Beach, Zelenodolsk
Zelenodolsk beach "Zagorodny" is one of the largest on the Volga, although prior to the improvement they tried to bypass it as a half-abandoned and too deserted place.
The new space is formed by a wide elliptical path made of wooden flooring. Inside the ellipse there is a zone for a quiet rest with sun loungers and umbrellas, according to the architects - "backwater, quiet water surface", it is in this place that the beach is protected from the winds and currents of the Volga. Sports grounds were taken out outside the "contour". All the necessary infrastructure is located along the central walkway: showers and changing rooms, toilets, a room for a mother and a child.
More about the project>
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zooming 1/8 Improvement of the city beach in Zelenodolsk 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 Improvement of the city beach in Zelenodolsk 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 Improvement of the city beach in Zelenodolsk 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 Improvement of the city beach in Zelenodolsk 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 Improvement of the city beach in Zelenodolsk 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 Improvement of the city beach in Zelenodolsk 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 Improvement of the city beach in Zelenodolsk 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 Improvement of the city beach in Zelenodolsk Photo courtesy of the press service of the Program for the Development of Public Spaces of the Republic of Tatarstan
Tukay Embankment, Naberezhnye Chelny
The embankment named after Gabdulla Tukai was landscaped in just one month: from a marginal territory, it turned into the main city promenade. And very varied. Before the road bridge over the Melekesku River near the embankment there is a more “urban” spirit: there is a dry fountain, a stage, a small beach, and a restored historic street. Behind the bridge is a natural, "wilder" part: with pedestrian and bicycle paths among tall grasses and trees, including new ones - willows, birches, lindens and pines.
The space under the bridge has turned into an exhibition space - it will be used by students from the nearby art college, who come to the embankment in the open air.
For the corporate identity of the embankment, they used characters from the fairy tales of Gabdulla Tukai - Shurale and Su anasy.
More about the project>
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zooming 1/5 Tukay Embankment 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 2/5 Tukay Embankment 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 3/5 Tukay Embankment 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 4/5 Tukay Embankment 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 5/5 Tukay Embankment Photo courtesy of the press service of the Program for the Development of Public Spaces of the Republic of Tatarstan
Embankment "Kama", Nizhnekamsk
The village of Krasny Klyuch is picturesque on the banks of the Kama, but residents rarely came to admire the views or swim - because of the unkempt territory.
In 2016, the embankment was extended, the river port, the pier and coverings were renewed, the entire space was filled with small architectural forms and even a rather large object was built - a museum named after Akhsan Fatkhutdinov, People's Artist of the Republic of Tatarstan. Also, stands were installed on the embankment, from which it is convenient to observe a fifty-meter musical fountain that gushes from the waters of the Kama.
The beach has also changed: wooden decks and all the infrastructure necessary for relaxing by the water have appeared. The nearby local landmark - the spring and the Imam's Cave waterfall - have been made more accessible.
A corporate identity was developed for the embankment, the main elements of which, as you might guess, are red and a key.
More about the project>
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zooming 1/8 Krasny Klyuch Embankment 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 Embankment "Krasny Klyuch" 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 "Krasny Klyuch" Embankment 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 Embankment "Krasny Klyuch" 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 Embankment "Krasny Klyuch" 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 "Krasny Klyuch" Embankment 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 "Krasny Klyuch" Embankment 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 Embankment "Krasny Klyuch" Photo courtesy of the press service of the Program for the Development of Public Spaces of the Republic of Tatarstan
Embankment "Kazan Su", Arsk
20 thousand people live in Arsk. Since since the Kazanka was crushed, they had nowhere to swim, the architects proposed to turn an abandoned wasteland by the river into an artificial lake. For this, a capturing was built, which takes water from the springs. The lake has a sandy bottom, the deepest place is 1.6 m.
The park near the new reservoir was made so that everyone could find something to do. A walking path was built around the lake. The pebble beach turns into a sandy one closer to the water, for children there is a fenced area with a shallow depth. A volleyball court, a shed with a swing, a green picnic lawn, an amphitheater and an area for board games near apple and cherry trees have appeared. Not without an observation deck on the hill, which was specially equipped for the newlyweds' photo sessions.
More about the project>
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zooming 1/7 Kazan Su embankment © 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 Kazan Su embankment © 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 3/7 Kazan Su embankment © 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 Kazan Su embankment © 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 Kazan Su embankment © 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 Kazan Su embankment © 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 Kazan Su embankment © Photo courtesy of the press service of the Program for the Development of Public Spaces of the Republic of Tatarstan
More about the parks of Tatarstan:
The best city parks>
The best parks of small towns and villages>
