Ilsur Metshin: “Waterside areas are the jewels of every city”

The Mayor of Kazan Ilsur Metshin spoke at the expert discussion “Port and City: from Infrastructure to Quality of Life” at the First International Forum of Port Cities in Svetlogorsk, Kaliningrad region. At the Forum, the Mayor shared the plans of the future transformation of the Novaya Portovaya residential area and the development of water infrastructure.

Ilsur Metshin noted that a modern port city should be considered not only as a transport hub. The development of port territories is related to the urban environment, ecology, investments and the quality of life. “We face the same challenges, and therefore I am confident that this meeting will become an effective platform for exchanging best municipal practices, strengthening partnerships and developing joint solutions”- the Mayor noted.

Ilsur Metshin noted that the city is historically connected with waterways. The capital of Tatarstan has access to five seas through the Volga. For a long time, the coastal territories were used for production and storage, which is why the city was practically cut off from the Volga.

Today, the approach to the development of embankments is changing. The renovation of the cargo port territory is one of the key projects of Kazan. It is planned to create a modern residential area on the site of 287 hectares of the former industrial zone and open access to the river for citizens. The developed master plan provides for the construction of a 12-kilometer embankment, the longest river embankment in the country. The hydraulic engineering structure that will become its foundation is already under construction.

Instead of a warehouse area, residential areas, social infrastructure, public spaces, commercial and cultural facilities, as well as yacht marinas will appear here.

 “The waterside areas are the jewels of every city. We are proud of the renovation project near the River Port almost in the center of Kazan,”- said Ilsur Metshin.

The strategy “Kazan – a city on the water” has become another area of development. It identifies key territories and facilities on the Volga and Kazanka Rivers. In particular, it is planned to create the largest water tourism cluster on the Volga with a 700-berth yacht marina and an Water Sports Center.