Gorodets, according to one version, founded in 1152, is located on the banks of the Volga, 70 kilometers from Nizhny Novgorod. Its historical center has retained its medieval appearance: a defensive earthen rampart of the 12th century, a complex layout of streets, merchant mansions and wooden houses decorated with carved platbands. Gorodets is famous for folk crafts: the traditions of artistic painting, gold embroidery, wood carving and inlay work continue to be developed here. Since the 2000s, the city has been developing as a tourist city, cruise ships stop here, a museum quarter has formed in the historical part, where you can learn about Gorodets gingerbread, samovars, crafts, etc.
Gorodets has the main thing - a unique layout and authentic architecture. And besides this, if you think about it, there is almost nothing: infrastructure, navigation, lighting, in some places and sewage. You can clearly see this on Google panoramas: between the multi-colored wooden houses, decorated with rich carvings, there are empty streets, narrow sidewalks and lanterns. In addition, many objects are littered with advertisements and signs, crowded with cars, attractions are not connected with each other by routes, in winter the city becomes empty, as it loses its attractiveness for tourists.
The Institute for the Development of the Urban Environment of the Nizhny Novgorod Region has developed a project of a social and recreational framework for the center of Gorodets, which will unite the embankment, squares, streets, cultural, educational and recreational facilities into a single system. To begin with, we focused on the areas beyond the Museum Quarter. Four sites for the first transformations were chosen on the basis of infrastructural analysis and voting results of the city dwellers.
The first section, Koltsov Wells Square, is the main "gateway" to the old town. An information center, an interactive map and a fountain as a symbol of a well that once actually stood here will appear here. The historic earthen rampart, part of which overlooks the square, is accentuated by a long ribbon bench. Trees will be planted on the rampart and on the square itself, awnings will appear along the cafe so that you can spend the evening at a table on the street. Parking for tourist buses, bicycle parking, areas for temporary pavilions will also be organized here.
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zooming 1/3 Axonometry. Koltsov Well Square. Improvement of the public area: "The complex of public spaces in the Gorodets Museum Quarter © Institute for the Development of the Urban Environment of the Nizhny Novgorod Region
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zooming 2/3 Visualization. Koltsov well square, summer. Improvement of the public area: "The complex of public spaces in the Gorodets Museum Quarter © Institute for the Development of the Urban Environment of the Nizhny Novgorod Region
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zooming 3/3 Visualization. Koltsov well square, winter. Improvement of the public area: "The complex of public spaces in the Gorodets Museum Quarter © Institute for the Development of the Urban Environment of the Nizhny Novgorod Region
The Lenin Square, which is adjacent to the Museum of Local Lore and the Gorodets on the Volga Museum, will develop as a space for culture and recreation. Several quiet recreation areas, a shed for playing chess and dominoes, playgrounds, as well as a walking route that will introduce you to the history of the city have been designed here. A swing and benches of different shapes will be placed in a small square in front of the monument.
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zooming 1/3 Axonometry. Square named after Lenin. Improvement of the public area: "The complex of public spaces in the Gorodets Museum Quarter © Institute for the Development of the Urban Environment of the Nizhny Novgorod Region
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zooming 2/3 Visualization. Square named after Lenin Square. Improvement of the public area: "The complex of public spaces in the Gorodets Museum Quarter © Institute for the Development of the Urban Environment of the Nizhny Novgorod Region
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zooming 3/3 Visualization. Square named after Lenin, chess pavilion. Improvement of the public area: "The complex of public spaces in the Gorodets Museum Quarter © Institute for the Development of the Urban Environment of the Nizhny Novgorod Region
In the Pioneriya square, which will be dedicated to creativity and sports, several objects have been designed: a stage, a place for group classes or games, a sports ground, a swing for adults, and a public toilet module. From the side of the registry office there will be a photo zone with the heroes of Gorodets, and on one of the facades there will be a space for the exhibition of platbands.
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zooming 1/3 Axonometry. Pioneer Square. Improvement of the public area: "The complex of public spaces in the Gorodets Museum Quarter © Institute for the Development of the Urban Environment of the Nizhny Novgorod Region
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zooming 2/3 Visualization. Pioneer Square, sports area. Improvement of the public area: "The complex of public spaces in the Gorodets Museum Quarter © Institute for the Development of the Urban Environment of the Nizhny Novgorod Region
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zooming 3/3 Visualization. Pioneer Square, evening. Improvement of the public area: "The complex of public spaces in the Gorodets Museum Quarter © Institute for the Development of the Urban Environment of the Nizhny Novgorod Region
The memorial function of the square of the Unknown Soldier will be complemented by the function of children's recreation. Behind the monument, separated by a "green screen", there will be a playground with a lawn and a labyrinth, where a "tree of life" will also be planted, surrounded by a ring bench.
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zooming Axonometry. Square of the Unknown Soldier. Improvement of the public area: "The complex of public spaces in the Gorodets Museum Quarter © Institute for the Development of the Urban Environment of the Nizhny Novgorod Region
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zooming Visualization. Square of the Unknown Soldier, playground. Improvement of the public area: "The complex of public spaces in the Gorodets Museum Quarter © Institute for the Development of the Urban Environment of the Nizhny Novgorod Region
Gradually, the frame will be supplemented with new comfortable spaces and “entry points” into the city. According to the authors, “each element of the framework articulates its meaning through its historical character. Walking through the city center, residents of the city and tourists will notice how the space is changing - from the merchant and ceremonial space in the northern part to the natural-private space in the southern one”. A large walking route will be formed, the purpose of which is to tell about the values of the city not only with museum means. The infrastructure will be comfortable not only for tourists, but also for citizens.
The architects drew inspiration for planning and architectural solutions from the features of the Gorodets spinning wheel, another symbol of the city. Its features - painting plots, the principle of wood inlay on wood, verified proportions - became the main sources for the formation of new objects.
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zooming 1/4 Concept of the project. Elements of Gorodets' identity. Improvement of the public area: "The complex of public spaces in the Gorodets Museum Quarter © Institute for the Development of the Urban Environment of the Nizhny Novgorod Region
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zooming 2/4 Concept of the project. Prototype design solutions. Improvement of the public area: "The complex of public spaces in the Gorodets Museum Quarter © Institute for the Development of the Urban Environment of the Nizhny Novgorod Region
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zooming 3/4 Concept of the project. Form constructor. Improvement of the public area: "The complex of public spaces in the Gorodets Museum Quarter © Institute for the Development of the Urban Environment of the Nizhny Novgorod Region
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zooming 4/4 Corporate style. Improvement of the public area: "The complex of public spaces in the Gorodets Museum Quarter © Institute for the Development of the Urban Environment of the Nizhny Novgorod Region
The project was developed within the framework of the All-Russian competition of small towns and historical settlements in 2020. Thanks to the victory, Gorodets will receive 70 million rubles.
Daria Shorina
Architect, director of the Institute for the Development of the Urban Environment of the Nizhny Novgorod Region
“Competent choice of the“reset”territory in the context of urban development tasks, research and work with local identity, as well as honest sociocultural programming are three key aspects of the project, according to the Institute for the Development of the Urban Environment of the Nizhny Novgorod Region.
It is also important to have high-quality expertise in the region represented by an adequate regional center of competence or an acting chief architect. It is a good support and tool for supporting the competition."
Kirill Brosalin
Architect, Deputy Director of the Institute for the Development of the Urban Environment of the Nizhny Novgorod Region
“Our experience shows how important team building is. Each participant must be motivated and included in all stages of the project. It is not enough for the designer to complete only the architectural block; it is necessary to pay attention to all sections of the tender application. High-quality organization of communication with the administration of the municipality, with experts, with the developers of related sections, in particular the engagement block, and especially with citizens, becomes a key aspect for developing a balanced and strong proposal.
In case of victory, the contractor should also become a part of this team. His understanding of the specifics and importance of the project will directly affect the quality of implementation and the final result. This is a difficult process, but it is necessary for our cities to receive a qualitatively new urban environment."
