Ilsur Metshin assessed the improvement concept of Yunusovskaya Square

(KZN.RU, June 18, Alena Miroshnichenko). The improvement concept of Yunusovskaya Square and the boulevard on Fatkullin Street was presented today to Ilsur Metshin, the Mayor of Kazan. Both spaces are part of the Staro-Tatarskaya Sloboda and have important historical significance.

The revival of Yunusovskaya Square is a tribute to the Staro-Tatarskaya Sloboda and the history of Kazan, marked Ilsur Metshin. Yunusovskaya Square has lost its features over time. It is proposed to be made an integral public space emphasizing its historical features. After improvement, the boulevard on Fatkullin Street will open access to the Kaban Lake embankment for citizens and tourists, according to the new concept.

Tatiana Prokofieva, the main architect of Kazan, said that the development of the concept of Yunusovskaya Square began even before the celebration of Kazan’s Millennium. “We have been talking for many years that it is necessary. Certain things need to be corrected there, we need to make the space comfortable for tourists, but at the same time to preserve the atmosphere of the Staro-Tatarskaya Sloboda. This place is very symbolic for the Tatars”, she said.

Yunusovskaya Square is an example of an Islamic four-part garden, which is based on the principle “chor-bak”, which is Arabic for “four gardens”. In Kazan, this territory is divided by the Fatykh Karim and Gabdulla Tukay streets into 4 small green spaces. Historically, each of the parts of the square had its name. However, this separation was lost over time, but the project involves a return to the traditional idea of the garden. According to the proposed concept, the four squares will be given the following names: Small Garden, Garden of Love, Shady Garden, and Blooming Garden. There will be an alley with a street art gallery, a fountain and walking areas.

“First of all, the concept is designed to structure the territory, because today all 4 squares have a different configuration. Their original geometric forms have changed. We need to align them and make a neat, solid and comfortable space. Also, we want to emphasize eastern architecture with the help of design tools: paving stones, identity, benches”, said Daria Tolovenkova, the deputy chief architect of Kazan, the head of the creative team that develops the concept.

The concept provides for the elimination of existing problems in the area. One of them is parking. Tatiana Prokofieva proposed to abandon them at the intersection dividing the square. “Due to the fact that the territory is divided by parking in all sides, the feeling of the common space is lost. I wish people would come here and enjoy the real Muslim garden”, she said.

The Mayor of Kazan supported the initiative of the chief architect of the city, specifying that the parking lots could be distributed throughout the territory of the adjacent neighborhood. “We need to make people walk here, enjoy the architecture of the Staro-Tatarskaya Sloboda, see the beauty of the surrounding buildings, the houses of Shamil, Apanaevs, Bakhteevs. In general, Yunusovskaya Square is a key point, the heart of the Staro-Tatarskaya Sloboda, this is our history. Reviving the park is a tribute to the history of Kazan. I believe that not only tourists, but many Kazan citizens have never been here. We will open new territories for visiting and leisure activities”, he said and instructed to develop a full project.

This year the accomplishment of the first part of Yunusovskaya Square is planned: the Blooming Garden. According to Igor Kulyazhev, the deputy head of the Executive Committee and the chairman of the Committee for External Improvement, funding for this sector is provided in the amount of 20 million rubles.

The boulevard on Fatkullin Street, another object of improvement in the territory of the Staro-Tatarskaya Sloboda, having its historical structure, eventually turned into a roadway technical part. D. Tolovenkova noted that production facilities are located here, access to the Kaban Embankment is limited, although historically it was provided. The concept of improvement of the boulevard will help to connect the territory, to restore communication with the embankment, to solve the problem with the parking of trucks and unsafe pedestrian crossings. “There is an asphalted pedestrian part, today it needs to be refined”, explained T. Prokofieva. The Mayor instructed the chairman of the Committee r External Improvement to begin work on reuniting Fatkullin Street from the embankment of Kaban Lake and promised to inspect the street personally.

Marat Usmanov, the prefect of the territory “Stary Gorod”, Zhanna Belitskaya, the main artist of Kazan, and others also took part in the event.