The internet portal Moskovskaya Perspektiva published an article on the street exhibit in Moscow by the renowned urban planner Jan Gehl and about the development of pedestrian zones in the capital.
Last week outside the building of the Moscow Architecture and Urban Planning Commission an exhibit opened presenting the results of a study by the famous Dutch urban planner Jan Gehl as well as the achievements of Moscow in terms of improving public spaces and plans for their further development.
JANGEHL’SSTUDY
The internet portal Moskovskaya Perspektiva writes that “over the course of one and half years the firm Gehl Architects was engaged in a study of public spaces in the Russian capital. The analysis covered the direction and volume of pedestrian traffic flows, preferred types of recreational activities, quality of public territories – sidewalks, facades, greenery, noise levels, street furniture and so on. The results of this work were compiled in a book titled “Moscow – toward a great city for people” which presents a detailed list of recommendations on how to reorganize the city in order to make it more comfortable.”
Speaking at the opening ceremony for the exhibit, Karima Nigmatulina, Acting Director of Genplan (Moscow’s urban planning institute), noted that development of public spaces is a top priority in efforts to improve the quality of life in the city.
YEILDING TO PEDESTRIANS
Today people rarely go out for stroll in Moscow, as most streets remain unsuitable for this. This is why the creation of pedestrian streets is so important. And work is already underway on this.
In particular, starting in 2012 work has been underway on the pedestrian street Romanov Alley, situated between Mokhovaya Street and Romanov Pereulok. In late-2012 the first phase of the street was completed and construction should be fully finished by 2015. The project’s investor is Moscow Construction and Development (Luxembourg), and the general designer and general contractor is RD Group (part of RD Group).
In 2013 six pedestrian zones were created in the center of Moscow: on Nikolskaya Street, the Crimea Embankment, Bolshaya Dmitrovka, Tverskoi Proezd, from Gagarin Square to Kiev Station and from Pyatnitskaya Street to Bolotnaya Embankment. The city’s plans call for the conceptualization and development of 11 pedestrian zones of city-wide significance by the end of next year.