From Japanese Waterfalls to Municipal Cafés: Non-Architectural Methods of Urban Development Discussed at St. Petersburg Urban Forum
One of the panel discussions at the St. Petersburg Urban Forum, titled “Non-Architectural Methods for Adapting Real Estate and Developing Territories,” focused on unconventional approaches to urban development. Developers, municipal representatives, and experts agreed that modern cities require holistic solutions beyond architecture, addressing social, cultural, and economic dimensions.
Among the topics discussed was citizen engagement in urban improvement processes. Experts shared practical examples—from transforming a historic square in Berezovsky to launching the creative cluster “Open Garden” in Izhevsk. One speaker noted: “You can’t just ask people what they want to see. You need to find out what they want to do and build space around that.”
Everyday city management tasks, such as maintaining green areas, lawn mowing, and cleanliness, were also addressed. A proposal was made to introduce maintenance standards where a dedicated employee would oversee each residential block, coordinating contractors and management companies.
One participant shared experience collaborating with an artist creating Japanese-style waterfalls. Even placing stones can become part of a city’s identity if approached with aesthetic and contextual awareness.
Significant attention was given to developing creative industries. According to Rosstat, Moscow and St. Petersburg remain leaders, but regions are gradually catching up. Participatory design projects and local initiatives are being successfully implemented.
Vladislav Nikolaev, Head of the Analytical Group at the Strategic Development Agency “CENTER,” emphasized the need for a strategic approach to such projects:
“We live in an era of new technological paradigms. Spatial development must consider not just architecture, but also economy, ecology, culture, Gen Z preferences, and tourist flows.”
Municipalities increasingly face resource shortages for urban infrastructure maintenance. Experts suggest addressing this by developing the local economy, supporting creative initiatives, and fostering dialogue between residents, businesses, and authorities.
Photo: Open Garden [Electronic resource] // URL: https://vk.com/otkrytysad (accessed July 1, 2025)