Yakut Spirit: How to Build Cities on Permafrost to Be Discussed at the "Zodchestvo" Festival

12 November, 2024

On November 13, as part of the International Architectural Festival "Zodchestvo", a public meeting with experts will be held on the topic "The Best City on Permafrost: Myth or Reality." The event will take place at the Gostiny Dvor Exhibition Complex in Moscow, in the "Fasad" hall, starting at 5:15 PM. Sergey Georgievsky, co-founder of the Strategic Development Agency "CENTER," will moderate the meeting, which will bring together leading experts in urban development in challenging climates.

The discussion will focus on Yakutia's experience as a region that implements innovative practices in urban improvement under the harsh conditions of the North. Comprehensive strategies for city and village development, modern residential complexes, social facilities, industrial, transport, and utility infrastructure are being actively developed. Over the past 20 years, Yakutsk, the capital of the Republic, has become the fastest-growing city in the Russian Far East and Eastern Siberia. Advanced tools in architectural and urban planning, such as design codes and master plans, are being introduced alongside participatory design principles. In 2019, Yakutia became the first region in Russia to develop a creative economy development concept. In 2022, the Republic received the Russian National Award in the Creative Industries in the category "Creative Region."

Key topics to be discussed during the meeting:

  • Development and implementation of master plans in the Far Eastern Federal District;
  • The role of DOM.RF in creating strategic planning documents;
  • The future image of Yakutsk;
  • New construction technologies addressing global climate change;
  • Integration of nature into urban structures.

Representatives from Yakutia will also discuss the Republic's premier architectural and design event, the EIGE Award, and the exhibition prepared by Yakutian architects for the Zodchestvo Festival.

Invited speakers and experts:

  • Alexey Anatolyevich Prosuzhikh, Director of the Department for Territorial Project Implementation Support at FANO "VostokGosPlan";
  • Alexandra Alexandrovna Bogdanova, Coordinator of Urban Environment Development Projects at DOM.RF;
  • Lyubov Alexandrovna Papok, Head of the Architecture and Urban Planning Department under the Head of the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia) – Chief Architect of the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia);
  • Oleg Georgievich Karamzin, Director of "UTUM-INVEST";
  • Felix Eduardovich Mashkov, CEO of the Concrete Jungle architectural bureau;
  • Anastasia Fedorovna Zelenova, Chief Project Architect at Concrete Jungle;
  • Sabina Anatolyevna Chagina, Co-founder of the Street Art Biennale "Artmossfera," Curator of Street Art Projects;
  • Irina Afanasyevna Markina, Head of the Center of Competence for Urban Environment Issues in Yakutia;
  • Irina Dmitrievna Alexeeva, Urban and Regional Development Expert.

All current information is available via the event link "The Best City on Permafrost: Myth or Reality" on VKontakte.

Registration is required to participate in the Zodchestvo Festival. The detailed program and registration form can be found on the official festival website.

Photo: Oleg Kharkhan / Lori Photobank

Subscribe to news