I.Metshin at the opening of the Kazanysh forum: “We have enough courage and persistence to implement ideas”

Today, the second Kazanysh All-Russian Architectural and Construction Forum opened at the Uram extreme park, which brought together more than 1,700 participants from all over the country. The event brought together about 200 experts in architecture, design and construction. The speakers at the forum were Alexander Tsimailo and Nikolai Lyashenko, founders of the Tsimailo Lyashenko and Partners architectural bureau, the head of the Studio 44 architectural bureau Nikita Yavein, the founder of Sitimakers Pyotr Kudryavtsev, architect and head of the architectural bureau WALL Ruben Arakelyan and other experts.

The Mayor of Kazan Ilsur Metshin, welcoming the participants of the forum, drew attention that this year the discussion is dedicated to a special issue. “This is the right trend and demand. Youth is our present and our future. The younger generation uses new technologies, ideas and knowledge,”- the Mayor stressed. “When we discussed the city development after the millennium celebrations, all experts came to the conclusion: Kazan is an educational center.” According to the head of the city, today 37% of students come to the capital of Tatarstan from other regions, whereas in Soviet times this number was 21%. At the same time, about 50% of them remain to live in Kazan. “It is important for us what the city will be like. Therefore, we want more bright ideas to be voiced at the forum. Experts don't necessarily have to offer them – that's why we invited students, young architects and the public, - I. Metshin said. - How to win in the competition for young people with other cities? To make sure that this magnet does not fade away, and there are all the best and advanced things in Kazan. My task as mayor is to make the city the most comfortable, safe and clean, so that a person can realize himself.”

“I expect that the forum and discussions at the venues will open up new opportunities for us and make us think together about how to implement these ideas in Kazan. We have enough courage and persistence to do this,”- the Mayor said. So, at the forum in 2021, the renovation of the territory near the river port was discussed, he reminded, and now work has already begun. “So dreams are being realized in Kazan. Let's dream together and make Kazan better!” – I. Metshin said.

Ilsiyar Tukhvatullina, the chief architect of Kazan, in turn, told the audience about the features of generation Z, whose requests are planned to be discussed at the sections of the forum, and also voiced the survey data that was conducted on the eve of the forum. More than 500 people participated in the survey, 83% of them have higher education.

Among the conditions important for the comfort of the younger generation, the chief architect announced alternative housing and spaces – coworking, technology parks, art spaces, food markets. “The request is not just for a comfortable life, but for specific points – at a river, a forest or in an active city center,” I. Tukhvatullina noted. “We have gathered to discuss what elements of infrastructure should appear in the city,”- she added. According to the chief architect of the city, the central heating points could become platforms for the development of startups.

For reference, it is planned to discuss more than 30 relevant issues, including the renovation of industrial areas, new technologies in construction and design.