An international team has won a competition to design an eco-district in Kazan, southwest Russia.
The “Ecopolis” development will include three villages, located on the main routes into the site and green areas to link the landscape and residential areas. It will also have low-density housing and a green loop for walking, cycling and public transport.
The UK’s JTP Architects will work on the project with London estate agent Knight Frank, French architects XTU and OXO, Kazan firm Architectural Desant and Belgian firm TerraScape.
The project was organised by Tatarstan, a constituent republic of the Russian Federation, and was judged by 15 people, including the president of the Tatarstan and the chief architect of Kazan.
Ilsur Metshin, Kazan’s mayor, said: “The competition featured the world’s best architectural and design players, who fought for the right to reach the final. This has enriched us all – we really did see completely new approaches to design, or at least design that is unusual for Russia.
“This is a completely new way of life and completely new requirements for design and construction. And we have seen what Kazan will be like tomorrow. As mayor, I am overwhelmed by feelings of pride and joy that we have reached such a level of design.”
Images courtesy of JTP Architects
