I. Metshin: "Lake Kaban promenade should be a magnet for Kazan residents and...

(Kazan, KZN.RU, June 18, by Adelya Galieva) A large-scale transformation is awaiting the waterfront of Lake Kaban, located in the center of Kazan. The first step in this direction will be concept development. Mayor of Kazan Ilsur Metshin, who will head the jury and take part in the evaluation of the projects, announced the launch of the competition and described its features at today's press conference. The press conference was attended by an assistant to the president of the Republic of Tatarstan, Natalia Fishman, and the head of the organizing committee of the competition, the director of the Agency for Strategic Development "Center," Sergei Georgievsky.

"We have learned how to design and build sports facilities so that other regions of the Russian Federation are learning from our experience. We have learned how to build interchanges, pedestrian crossings, roads and social facilities. But we have yet to learn how to build public spaces, including waterfronts, bikeways and communications among different parts of the city. It was decided to hold an open competition incorporating the best practices from around the world," I. Metshin explained the motives involved in the development of the concept.

Sergei Georgievsky spoke about the mechanism of the contest: it will be open and have two stages carried out in accordance with the international standards. "In the first stage, to take part in the competition, one must submit an application online. Teams with relevant portfolios will be able to participate," said the director of the "Center" Strategic Development Agency.

The shortlist of finalists from 10 teams will be announced on July 7 at the Moscow Urban Forum held in Kazan. The teams will be required to submit their bids to the jury, including a detailed concept, by September 15. On September 30, the winning team will be announced, which will receive one million rubles and will be required to make recommended changes to the project within a month.

"We cannot predict the flight of imagination of our future winner; therefore, the cost of the project will be determined later. We are expecting boldest ideas, novel and creative, but kindly and warm at the same time. The promenade should become a magnet for the residents and guests of Kazan,"  summed up I. Metshin.