On 20 September in Veliky Novgorod, the business programme of the Living Environment: Cities Forum was officially closed. The forum gathered more than 600 Russian and international experts to speak about improving the urban environment: leading architects, major developers and businesses, mayors, government figures from Russian and international megapolises, and creative industry professionals. 

Participants discussed the main trends in architectural transformations of the urban landscape, best practices for managing both megapolises and unique cities in the era of total digitalisation, ideas to attract both private and state investment, the role of the government in city life, and the potential to establish effective relationships with both business and society.

The key speakers at the business programme were: 

Ken Livingston (United Kingdom ), former Mayor of London. 

Jens Kramer Mikkelsen (Denmark), former Mayor of Copenhagen, CEO of Сopenhagen City & Port Development Corporation; presentation about the Copenhagen model for rehabilitating cities. 

Hazel Borys (United States), CEO of Placemakers; presentation about form-based codes. 

Ekaterina Shulman, political scientist, docent of the Institute of Social Sciences at the Russian President Academy of National Economy and Public Administration; presentation about the new role of mayors in solving national problems. 

"Investment is a core factor for success. This measure outweighs everything. If the city administration actions improve the urban infrastructure, then private companies will come to the city that works. They want to stay in it, invest in it. We have seen very rapid growth in London. When I became mayor, we had 7 million people in the city, and now 9 million live there. Our city is the only European city that complies with US productivity and labor indicators. My main point is - never stop investing in infrastructure," said Ken Livingstone.

Ken Livingstone

The business programme of the forum was organised around Russia’s development priorities through 2024 (a comfortable living environment and economic growth in cities), already set out in national projects, as well as the role of local government in achieving these goals. 

Sessions in the business programme were dedicated to new tools for urban development that allow cities to make long-term plans for the creation of a contemporary urban environment and improve their citizens’ quality of life, while also demonstrating examples of successful and effective urban development teams. The moderators and leaders of the forum were two graduates of the Architects.ru/ARKHITEKTORY.RF educational programme.

Jens Kramer Mikkelsen

"You have to find the right people for your team. Infrastructure elements are also essential. The goal is to have one-third public transit, one-third cars, and one-third cyclists. Don’t forget about sustainable, social, and environmental development, as well as inclusion. This is very important, especially for people with limited mobility. And patience, patience — look at how many years we needed to realise our long-term project [for Copenhagen’s territorial development," said Jens Kramer Mikkelsen, former Mayor of Copenhagen.

Jens Kramer Mikkelsen

The participants of the business programme also visited an exhibit titled "The City: A Place for Development," dedicated to the  Integrated Guidelines for Urban Development, a recently developed methodological document, and the tools and educational programmes connected with it. The forum also discussed the subject of long-term urban development strategies. 

Strelka KB partner Alexey Muratov said, "On the request of DOM.RF, with the support of the Ministry of Construction of the Russian Federation, and on orders from Prime Minister Dmitry Anatolyevich Medvedev, Strelka KB developed the Integrated Guidelines for Urban Development, a methodological guide for planners and builders that encompasses all levels of the living environment, from territorial design to apartment floor plans. The document is ready for use." 

Strelka KB partner Alexey Muratov

"What next steps are needed? Before all else, of course, we have to realise pilot projects based on the guidelines. The second step is to apply the guidelines when including unused or inefficiently used federal land in residential construction. Finally, we need to create an internet platform for the guidelines which will provide widespread access to the document for any interested party while allowing us to start a public discussion of questions regarding residential construction."

On 21 September, at "Boiling Point" (Tochka kipeniya), the business programme continued: there was a lecture and panel discussion about design codes, open public round tables about regional spatial development institutes, and a workshop by graduates of the Architects.ru/ARKHITEKTORY.RF programme.

Ekaterina Shulman, political scientist, docent of the Institute of Social Sciences at the Russian President Academy of National Economy and Public Administration.

Living Environment: Cities took place from 19-21 September. On 19 September, the Philarmonia hosted the Municipal Management Leadership Day, with 113 mayors from around the country and various experts taking part. Participants discussed contemporary problems of Russian cities, ways to solve them, and shared experiences in realising various urban development programmes. As part of the plenary session on the 19th, Deputy Minister for Economic Development Vadim Zhivulin, Novgorod Region Governor Andrey Nikitin, and ASI CEO Svetlana Chupsheva spoke.  

Living Environment is conducted by DOM.RF with the help of the Russian Government and the Ministry of Construction, Housing and Utilities of the Russian Federation every year in cities that show a desire to develop and create a comfortable urban environment. The forum gathers the best Russian and international experts: architects, urban planners, and representatives from regional and municipal administrations. The forum’s programming is handled by Strelka Institute for Media, Architecture and Design. In Veliky Novgord, Living Environment’s partners are VEB.RF, the Foundation for the Development of Single-Industry Cities, IA TASS, the Council of Municipalities of Novgorod Region, and the Agency for Strategic Initiatives.

All images courtesy of Living Environment: Cities 

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