Rustam Minnikhanov: "Copenhagen experience is important for Kazan"

(Kazan, KZN.RU, October 10). Issues of cooperation in the sphere of urban environment and the development of "Greater Kazan" concept were discussed at today's meeting between President of Tatarstan Rustam Minnikhanov and Gehl Architects representatives. The meeting was held in the company office in Copenhagen. It was attended by Mayor of Kazan Ilsur Metshin and heads of ministries and departments of the Republic of Tatarstan.

Rustam Minnikhanov thanked the representatives of Gehl Architects for the invitation and said that the mutual relations were developing dynamically. He recalled the meeting with Mr. Jan Gehl at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum in May 2014; the delegation headed by Mr. Gehl visited Tatarstan at the end of August.

"Our goal is to use your experience in the organization of urban space, to see how this is done in Copenhagen," said Rustam Minnikhanov.

The Gehl Architects representatives made a presentation and briefly talked about the company history  and the changes in Copenhagen's urban environment.

At the end of the presentation, Rustam Minnikhanov asked about the inevitable negative consequences of creating pedestrian streets and urban transportation changes.

"Copenhagen's experience in all these matters is very important to Kazan," opined Rustam Minnikhanov.

The hosts took the RT president for a walking tour of Copenhagen, during which the president familiarized himself with the main city trails.