Press Release
Panel Discussion "Development Drivers of a Polycentric Urban Model"
Moscow, 16 October 2015, Moscow Urban Forum 2015 — As part of Moscow Urban Forum 2015, in Hall A of
the Manege Central Exhibition Hall, a panel discussion "Development Drivers of a Polycentric Urban Model"
was held, with the participation of Marat Khusnullin, Deputy Mayor of Moscow for Urban Planning and
Construction, supervised by Moscow School of Management SKOLKOVO. Alexey Novikov, Dean of the
Graduate School of Urban Studies of the Higher School of Economics, acted as a moderator.
During the panel discussion, pressing problems in urban planning and organisation of urban infrastructure
were examined as exemplified by a major infrastructure project to be implemented in Moscow in the very near
future. Panellists expounded upon the following issues that had arisen when implementing infrastructure
projects:
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Urban planning contradictions and citizens' interests
Maintaining a balance between strategic objectives of the city and residents' private needs
Risk of the occurrence of new centres of additional stress for the city
New management formats for development of large-scale territories through management companies
Development of a perfect functional programme for creation of a rich, new urban environment and,
etc.
Upgrading the Small Ring of the Moscow Railway, construction of transportation interchange points,
reconstruction of embankments and adjoining areas of the Moscow River—these are just a few of such
projects. Marat Khusnullin, the Deputy Mayor of Moscow for Urban Development Policy and Construction,
declared that the comprehensive development of transportation infrastructure and the construction of transfer
hubs are the main forces behind the city's polycentric model. "The city finds new areas for growth and
becomes more attractive to residents through the development of New Moscow, the renovation and
reconstruction of industrial zones, and the improvement of both the pedestrian and waterway functions of the
Moscow River. This will allow us to redistribute traffic flows and ease the long-standing problems of
congestion in the city centre, and also the problem of uneven transportation development. It will ultimately
create a new, polycentric structure that makes Moscow great for both work and relaxation." Khusnullin
emphasized.
Members of the discussion agreed that the most important component of the polycentric model for Moscow
should be the river. The goal for the next several years is to transform the river into the face of the city. The
river needs to be an integral part of Moscow's overall development, and also made more accessible to
residents.
According to Alexey Novikov, the Dean of the Higher School of Urbanism at HSE, the concept of polycentrism
is nuanced in its foundations. "A multimodal transportation infrastructure and the construction of new transfer
hubs will make residents more mobile. This will in turn lead to the formation of new subcentres, a denser
urban environment, and the creation of commercial and recreational infrastructure within walking distance for
residents."
Main talking points of the panel discussion "Development Drivers of the Polycentric City Model":
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A city that exposes its face to residents will help them remain in their district and move economic activity
more towards the periphery.
The accessibility of housing should be accounted for in every development project. An expansion of the
rental housing market will make it easier for people to relocate for work or family.
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Transportation infrastructure is a source of appeal for residents. Outbound routes and the metro are not
just in the project pipeline, but are already acting as polycentric drivers.
About Moscow Urban Forum
The Moscow Urban Forum is being held under the auspices of the Government of Moscow with Mayor of
Moscow Sergey Sobyanin present in person. The Forum is organised by ANO Moscow Urban Forum.
The Moscow Urban Forum was held for the first time in 2011. The Forum was planned to be a venue for
dialogue, where the authorities, experts, investors, and business representatives could openly discuss new
challenges, trends, and key events of national and global urbanism and city planning. Over the years, the
Forum has become a reference point for new projects and initiatives of the Moscow Government directed to
all-round development of the megacity, stimulating quality changes in our capital city and spreading the best
practices across the country and globally.
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