Ilsur Metshin: “Kazan has become a platform for discussing approaches to preserving the historical environment”

At the 5th International Forum REBUS-2026, Kazan Mayor Ilsur Metshin spoke at the plenary session “Urban Planning in Historical Settlements: Balancing Preservation and Development.” The Mayor outlined the city’s approach to preserving its historic center and integrating it into the modern urban environment. In recent years, Kazan has restored around 15 cultural heritage sites, while more than 200 have been renovated and adapted for modern use.

 “I congratulate everyone on the tenth anniversary of the Interdepartmental Commission on Urban Planning in Historical Settlements. Under the leadership of the Rais of Tatarstan, we launched a work to restore our historic center. Before the 2013 Universiade, the city faced the task of clearing dilapidated housing. Back then, we were happy to see the old houses — often lacking basic amenities — being demolished. Unfortunately, along with them, we lost a significant part of our historic buildings,” said Kazan Mayor Ilsur Metshin. “History has no subjunctive mood, and we cannot turn back time.”

Active restoration of Kazan’s historic district began prior the 2013 Universiade, when the city prepared to host international competitions with representatives from 162 countries — a first for modern Russia.

“Thanks to our joint efforts with investors, businesses, community activists, residents, and architects, we have managed to revive the historic center. Today, these buildings have not only been given new life but have also become demanded urban spaces. In the early 2000s, we rejoiced at every construction crane in the center, as it was a sign of the city’s development. Back then, there was no time for architecture or landscaping. Today, we are no longer just talking about construction, but about shaping the city itself,” Ilsur Metshin shared.

He recalled the decision of the Rais of Tatarstan Rustam Minnikhanov to ban high-rise construction in the historic center. “I remember Rustam Nurgalievich inviting me to his office and saying: ‘Let’s stop building high-rises in the center.’ I replied: ‘With great pleasure, but our developers who are buying up former private housing plots at oil-rig prices won’t be able to make the numbers work, and it will be hard to compete with them.’ He said: ‘This is my will, let’s carry it out.’” This resolve allowed us — together with the commission, the experts in this hall, and both large and small construction companies — to complete this work. “If Kazan is a topic of discussion at this forum today, if you call it a good laboratory, then this is the achievement of everyone I have listed!” the Mayor emphasized.

Anna Sadaeva