Ecourbanism

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Urban Planning in Practice

(Issue of a magazine 3/2013, page 26)

We met Karima Nigmatulina, Deputy Director of the State Unitary Enterprise «Research and Project Institute of Moscow City Master Plan» on the Parking Day. It is the day when within the worldwide campaign the activists of the movement arrange public spaces where usually there are cars parked. The employees of the Institute took part in the campaign and created a “green” area with chess, coffee and Wi-Fi in one of the parking slots next to the entrance to the Institute. But, of course, the R&P Institute of Moscow City Master Plan deals with more large-scale and complicated matters that affect the lives of millions of Moscow residents.

Allianz Riviera – Nice Eco Stadium

(Issue of a magazine 3/2013, page 32)

In December 2009, the city of Nice launched an international competition for the construction of a new 35,000-seat stadium capable of hosting large international competitions. And already in September 2013, was held solemn opening of the stadium Allianz Riviera Stadium. After three years, there will be matches of the European Football Championship, which will be held in France. The stadium sits at the heart of the Eco Valley in the Plaine du Var, named an ‘Operation of National Interest’ (OIN) in March 2008, and it was the first flagship project in the new district.

Gorky Park: Metamorphosis

(Issue of a magazine 3/2013, page 40)

Gorky Park is located on the south part of Russia’s capital downtown and was inaugurated in 1928. Named after writer Maxim Gorky, the park quickly became famous for being an outstanding model of avant-garde architecture. The design of the front group - from the entrance to the Neskuchnyi Garden was performed in 1920 by Russian avant-garde architect Konstantin Melnikov. In general, this part has remained unchanged, as well as the main entrance, which was built in 1955 by architect Georgy Shuko. Nowadays, the Gorky Park, being one of the most famous in the world, has become the epitome of modern approaches to the development of the urban environment.

Where the City Meets Nature

(Issue of a magazine 3/2013, page 46)

Situated on Vancouver’s waterfront with spectacular views of mountains, ocean, and parks, the Vancouver Convention Centre West is designed to bring together the natural ecology, vibrant local culture of British Columbia, and built environment, accentuating their interrelationships through the architecture. The project achieved LEED® Canada Platinum certification, and became the first convention center to gain such a high recognition in the world.

Nantes – Green Ray to the Future

(Issue of a magazine 3/2013, page 54)

Following Stockholm, Hamburg and Vitoria- Gasteiz, Nantes is the European Union’s Green Capital for 2013. This distinction rewarded all the efforts of resident population in favour of the environment and rational development. It is also an incentive to mobilise all the forces to take a new leap forward: involving public and private players, associations, and above all the citizens of Nantes themselves, who have made this progress possible and are also the chief beneficiaries. In the longterm development plans, up to 2030, there are even more ambitious target of reducing CO₂ emissions, waste management, water quality and biodiversity.

Interpretation of the Living Unit

(Issue of a magazine 3/2013, page 80)

On the western coast of France is Dervallières, a suburb of Nantes, which is undergoing a major restructuring. Dervallières is classified as a Sensitive Urban Zone (ZUS), determined by the French government to be an area with fiscal and social issues like high unemployment, little home ownership and a low percentage of high school graduates.

Metropol Parasol – The Cathedral without Walls

(Issue of a magazine 2/2013, page 16)

Metropol Parasol, the Redevelopment of the Plaza de la Encarnacíon in Seville, designed by J. MAYER H. architects, becomes the new icon for Seville, capital of Andalusia - a place of identification and to articulate Seville’s role as one of the world´s most fascinating cultural destinations. Now this amazing building in many respects defines appearance of the ancient city and emphasizes its uniqueness as one of the most fascinating in the world. “Who has not seen Seville, he did not see the miracle” - says the Spanish proverb. The Metropol Parasol building – is one more proof of this wise saw.

Transalley Technopole: Ecosystem for Innovations

(Issue of a magazine 2/2013, page 22)

Transalley – scientific and technological park of the international scale in France, in which are conducted scientific researches in the field of transport systems and transportations. The competition proposal for Technopole by Mikou Design Studio aims to be a real ecosystem of innovation. The authors drew their inspiration from their perception of motion and speed, and so have designed the prospective object in the form of dynamic wave-like bands that copy the rails, which themselves form the topography in a scale of the existing landscape. Transportation - one of the key sectors of the economy, the value of which is constantly increases. For today, 7% of the GDP of the European Union created in transport, and 7% of workplaces are concentrated there.

The Harbor City

(Issue of a magazine 2/2013, page 26)

The residential apartment complex “The Iceberg” in Aarhus, Denmark designed by JDS Architects, Cebra, SeARCH and Louis Paillard has won the Mipim award for “Best Residential Project”. The award ceremony was held in March, in the main auditorium of the Palais des Festivals in Cannes. The MIPIM Awards did also attract a record number of entries with 175 projects from 46 countries competing. The project was the winner of the competition for the design of a residential complex in 2008. It provides an enormous opportunity for Aarhus, the second largest city of Denmark, to develop in a socially sustainable way by renovating its old, out-of-use container terminal. The area is meant to become a living city quarter and achieve a proper level of urban density, comprised of a multitude of cultural and social activities, generous amounts of workplaces, and of course, a highly mixed and diverse array of housing types.

The Green Consumption’s Peculiarities

(Issue of a magazine 1/2013, page 14)

The thesis of the classical economic school that demand breeds supply is directly relevant to the green architecture as a whole, as well as to the green building and green technologies, in particular. That said, despite savvy building automation systems (BAS) and the environmental gurus behind them, without occupant compliance, meeting environmental performance goals is not only impossible, but in some cases, quite contradictory. But also takes on a momentum for green consumption or a green consumerism. Most of it is related to food, but green buildings are now becoming quite competitive commodity.