Overview

Eco-district, Kazan, Russia

Project type: New Neighbourhood
Client: Center Agency for Strategic Development on behalf of the Republic of Tatarstan
Stage: On-site

A new green district for Kazan marrying sustainability and wellbeing

Located on the bank of the River Volga, the masterplan aims to transform a 760-hectare site into a sustainable urban extension of Kazan, the regional capital of Tatarstan in south-west Russia. Much of the project’s design was inspired by the existing beautiful woodland setting, the proximity to the River Volga and the importance of healthy living and strong community values in Tatarstan.

The project was guided by “ecopolis” – a concept that unifies sustainability and urban welbeing and was developed through collaborative processes including workshops and site visits in Kazan. The aim is to create clusters of lower-density homes, public spaces with playgrounds and meeting areas, as well as higher density villages situated on the main routes to the site.

With its proposed walking and cycling routes, which will connect each and every neighbourhood in the district, ecopolis is about community and the environment. The inclusion of open green spaces that are easily accessible will encompass every part of the settlement to enable people to lead healthier and more active lifestyles.

“
This is a completely new way of life and involves new methods of design and construction. As mayor, I am overwhelmed by feelings of pride and joy that we have reached such a level of design.
Ilsur Metshin, Mayor of Kazan

Project Delivery

– A sustainable community built on eco-principles, making residents aware of the environment they live in and how to embed these principles into their everyday lives.

– Three villages featuring leisure facilities, schools, kindergardens, equestrian centre and recreational spaces to promote health and wellbeing.

– A collection of housing typologies from higher density apartments to medium density town houses and lower density individual homes.

– Preservation of the forest utilising existing clearings and the historic routes that connect them.

– Green fingers of forest bring the surrounding landscape into the neighbourhood and feature homes nestled into the environment.

– A sustainable strategy for infrastructure and transport links, united by a landscaped green “halo” of walking and cycling routes connecting all neighbourhood centres.

– Variety of public spaces and amenities including a park, playground, forest trails and meeting areas designed to be open with much less density.

Project type: New Neighbourhood
Client: Center Agency for Strategic Development on behalf of the Republic of Tatarstan
Stage: On-site
Project Team
Joanna Allen
Joanna Allen
Partner
Lily Tsolakidi
Lily Tsolakidi
Consultant
Bill Sands
Bill Sands
Head of Visualisation
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