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On 6 November 2026, the programme of the Second All-Russian Heritage Economics Forum, scheduled to take place in the Nizhny Novgorod Region in late January 2027, was presented in Moscow. At a press conference held at the historic Kh. G. Smirnov and A. D. Lopatina Estate, organisers and partners outlined the key topics of the upcoming forum, a study on the economics of historic real estate, and a dedicated day focusing on industrial heritage. The CENTER Agency for Strategic Development is serving as the forum's intellectual partner.

The discussion featured Sergey Georgievsky, Founder and Chairman of the Expert Council of the CENTER Agency for Strategic Development, the forum's intellectual partner, member of the Coordination Council for the Development of Creative Industries under the Russian Ministry of Economic Development, member of ISOCARP, Honorary Member of the International Academy of Architecture, and member of the Expert Council of the Association of Landscape Architects of Russia (ALAROS). He discussed approaches to the redevelopment of former industrial sites and explained how historic environments can influence property values, attract tenants and businesses, and determine new uses for buildings.

According to Georgievsky, professional discussions about heritage should encompass a broader range of assets, including Soviet-era architecture and engineering structures. Their future use may involve preserving or restoring their original industrial functions. He proposed paying particular attention to historic buildings that accommodate modern enterprises, technology parks, and industrial parks. Such projects require solutions that allow economic activity to continue while preserving the features that give these properties their historical significance.

"We should probably start thinking about what to do with those properties that will not become cultural or tourist centres but will remain in economic use," Sergey Georgievsky noted.

During the press conference, he also announced plans to present the findings of the study Analysis of Practices for the Capitalisation and Representation of Industrial Heritage at the forum. The research is being conducted at the initiative of the Vladimir Potanin Foundation in collaboration with CENTER Agency and focuses on the experiences of small and medium-sized Russian cities. Agency experts are examining practices of cultural representation of industrial heritage, exploring who gives these sites new meanings, how this process takes place, and what role these properties play in the contemporary life of their communities. A book based on the research is currently being prepared and is expected to be presented at the forum.

The second forum will take place over three days. It will begin in Vyksa with Industrial Heritage Day, organised in partnership with United Metallurgical Company (OMK). Participants will be introduced to approaches to the revitalisation of historic industrial sites and the Shukhov Park project. The following two days will be held in Nizhny Novgorod at the historic Warehouses on the Strelka.

The organisers will focus primarily on practical aspects of working with historic real estate. Participants will discuss the costs of restoration and building maintenance, financial models, and the conditions necessary for projects to become financially self-sustaining after launch.

The forum is primarily aimed at investors, owners of historic properties, and professionals involved in their preservation and adaptive reuse.

"Projects need to be financially assessed from the very beginning. It is essential to calculate not only future profits but also costs, including maintenance, marketing, and operating expenses, which are often not examined thoroughly enough, although they need to be considered from the outset," said Anastasia Grushetskaya, Co-founder of the Centre for Heritage Capitalisation, an agency specialising in the development of historic environments and an organiser of the forum.

One of the programme's key events will be the presentation of a comparative study examining the economics of new construction and projects involving historic real estate, prepared by the Tom Sawyer Fest – Heritage Foundation. The researchers intend to compare construction and restoration costs, ownership expenses, and rental and sales indicators. The study is expected to help investors assess projects at different stages of implementation.

The forum is organised by the Centre for Heritage Capitalisation and the Tom Sawyer Fest – Heritage Charitable Foundation. The first forum took place in the Kaliningrad Region in January 2026. This year, the organisers will continue discussions of real investment projects and provide opportunities for direct dialogue between property owners, businesses, and regional representatives. The award ceremony of the Third National Heritage Is Worth More Award is scheduled for 30 January 2027.