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In addition to evaluations by experts and the professional jury, photographs shortlisted for the Moscow: Architecture Through Time photography competition will be put to a citywide public vote on the Active Citizen platform. The public will select one photograph for each of the 19 featured architectural sites, with the winning images receiving special People's Choice Awards.

"The Moscow: Architecture Through Time photography competition offers an opportunity to showcase the capital's evolving architectural identity and draw attention to its landmark projects. The involvement of Moscow residents will be an important part of the competition: they will be able to decide which photographs most vividly and expressively capture the architectural character of contemporary Moscow. The vote will produce a public ranking of the entries. The photographs receiving the strongest public support will be featured in a special exhibition, while their authors will receive certificates of recognition and commemorative prizes," said Maria Derunova, First Deputy Head of the Coordination Department of the Moscow Urban Development and Construction Complex.

Submissions remain open until November 15, 2026. During the first stage, an expert panel will select 57 finalists, comprising three photographs for each of the 19 architectural sites. Their entries will then be assessed by a professional jury, which will select the overall winner and runners-up, among whom the prize fund will be distributed. The public vote will complement the expert evaluation process and expand the number of award recipients.

"Public voting makes this a competition that truly belongs to the people of Moscow. Residents themselves will decide which images best reflect the capital's contemporary architectural identity. For more than a decade, the Active Citizen platform has enabled Muscovites to participate in shaping their city. Now they have an opportunity to appreciate the results from a new perspective — through architectural photography. By voting for the shortlisted images, residents will effectively create a public ranking of the city's landmark projects. The partnership between Active Citizen and Moscow: Architecture Through Time is another step towards working with Muscovites to make the urban environment even better," said Sergei Georgievskii, Co-founder of the Agency for strategic development "CENTER" and a representative of the competition operator.

More than 400 prospective participants have already registered for the competition, with 99 submissions received across 17 of the 19 eligible architectural sites.

The competition aims to highlight Moscow's architectural diversity, new urban landmarks and the transformation of its built environment. Participants are invited to photograph 19 significant sites across the capital, including the extension of Mosfilmovskaya Street with two bridges spanning the Ramenka River valley, Torpedo Stadium and St. Vladimir Children's City Clinical Hospital, among others.

To enter, participants must register on the official website, moskvavkadre.ru, complete the online application form, select one of the eligible architectural sites and submit between three and ten photographs. Each entry must also include a short essay explaining the creative concept behind the photographs.

The competition is organised by the Moscow Urban Development and Construction Complex, with the Agency for strategic development "CENTER" serving as the competition operator. This is the first time the competition has been held in Moscow.