The territory of the Kazan micro-district “Sotsgorod” was proposed to be included in tourist routes

(KZN.RU, October 10). Today, Rustam Minnikhanov, the President of the RT, made a tour of the historical quarter in the Kazan micro-district “Sotsgorod”, also known as Ordzhonikidze Settlement.

Asgat Safarov, the head of the Presidential Administration of the RT, Ilsur Metshin, the Mayor of Kazan, Irada Ayupova, the minister of Culture of the RT, Irek Faizullin, the minister of Construction, Architecture and Housing and Communal Services of the RT, Olesya Baltusova, an assistant to the President of the RT, Tatiana Prokofieva, the chief architect of Kazan, Timur Alibaev, the head of the Aviastroitelny and Novo-Savinovsky districts’ administration, representatives of ministries and departments of the republic also took part in the event.

Olesya Baltusova recalled that recently the Ministry of Culture of the RT approved the status of this territory as “Sightful place” (cultural heritage object of regional significance, landmark site “Settlement named after Sergo Ordzhonikidze (Sotsgorod)”, 1938-1954). This was made possible thanks to the expert decision on the unique preservation of the Sotsgorod complex in Kazan opposite to similar developments in other cities of Russia.

Marsel Iskandarov, an associate professor at the Kazan State University of Architecture and Engineering, and Natalya Ureiskaya, a resident of Sotsgorod, were giving explanations during the inspection. They acquainted the President with the history of the development of the micro-district, which started in the 1930s, told about the features of architectural and town-planning decisions of the time.

Marsel Iskandarov said that not only specialists but also ordinary people are interested in the history of the Sotsgorod and the architectural features of its objects. Today, the work is underway to develop a guided tour, he said. “The architecture of the 30-50s has left a qualitative legacy. We are accustomed to taking it as a normal state of things. But over time, we can see the authors' intent, the quality and scale of this architecture”, said M. Iskandarov.

The architect noted that the area has a great tourist potential. However, it is necessary to perform a set of works on the improvement of the environment with the correct regulations for its use. “There are main semantic zones that can be arranged, we can establish tourist navigation. It will really make an impression”, said Marsel Iskandarov.

As part of a tour of the historic quarter, Rustam Minnikhanov met with local residents. Kazan residents thanked the President of the RT for the improvement of the park “Krylya Sovetov” and the renovation of the CLC Lenin. Residents of the Sotsgorod expressed a wish to repair Belinsky Square, founded in the 30s of the last century. Rustam Minnikhanov agreed that the area should be brought into a proper state, in particular, the original fountain and fences should be restored, reports the press service of the President of the RT.

According to the President, it is necessary to preserve the system of green spaces and pedestrian zones.

This also applies to the public garden in the yard of the house №5 on Belinsky Street. The main compositional element of the park, the plaster monument of Sergo Ordzhonikidze, was dismantled 2 years ago. Rustam Minnikhanov offered to restore the monument to a prominent Soviet statesman out of more durable material and install it in the same place.