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Moscow Street Program, 2019 ULI Global Awards for Excellence Winner
May 14, 2019
Photo By Strelka KB
Location: Moscow, Russia
Developer: Department of Overhaul of the City of Moscow
Designers: Strelka KB; Djao-Rakitine; Snøhetta; West 8; Topotek 1; Martha Schwartz Partners, OKRA; Karres + Brands
Site Size: 817.9 acres (331 ha)
Jury Statement: The Moscow Street Program created a more people-centered city by daring to think big. Thoughtful, human-centered design guidance at a broad scale transformed Moscow’s streetscape and provided a framework for other cities across Russia.
The Moscow Street program reimagined more than 200 public spaces across Moscow between 2015 and 2017, ahead of the 2018 FIFA Men’s World Cup. The program, led by Strelka KB, the architectural consultancy branch of Moscow’s Strelka Institute, may be the largest infrastructure project in Russia since the Soviet era. The program transformed empty space, parking, and wide roads into safer, more walkable places by redesigning streets and public spaces to be pedestrian oriented. As a result, pedestrian traffic in the center city has increased by 23 percent, while traffic collisions resulting in injury have decreased by 56 percent, all while traffic moves about 30 percent faster.
Photo By Strelka KB
Krasnyye Vorota Square before renovation.
As part of the program, Strelka KB put together architectural competitions focusing first on young Russian talent before opening it up to international entries. The redesigns reflected Moscow’s rich history. For example, construction uncovered a fragment of the 16th-century White City Wall leading to the creation of a new outdoor amphitheater around the wall rather than the parking garage that was planned for the site. Likewise, the program restored historical infrastructure details such as bridge supports, light poles, and manhole covers.
Photo By Strelka KB
Krasnyye Vorota Square after renovation.
To determine what kind of space was needed and how it would be used, the program enlisted urban and digital anthropologists, including the voices of citizens, in the design of their community. During the transformation, more than 7,000 trees were planted, creating new green space that Moscow sorely lacked. Strelka KB joined forces with DOM.RF, an integrated housing development institution, and the Russian Ministry of Construction to compile Moscow Street’s best practices into the Future Cities program, leading to the transformation of at least 223 public spaces in 40 cities around Russia.
Photo By Strelka KB
Moscow’s streets bustle with activity after being redesigned to cater to pedestrians.
Photo By Strelka KB
Outdoor amphitheater built around a fragment of 16th century White City Wall.