eco tourism hub architecture thesis

B.Arch Thesis: Eco-Tourist Hub of KHONOMA Village, By Shanjo A. Kithan, ITM University-Gwalior

• August 17, 2019

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Eco-tourism is one such activities which provide a solution by creating awareness and concern for the environment among both the tourist and local people of the region.

Also, the local skills could be developed and explored. The traditional and indigenous knowledge, along with scientific development can be explored.

Eco tourism Hub by itself, which talks about the tourism aspects of the context, creating a cultural Hub point which gives a platform for the villagers as well as the essence of the vernacular for the tourist.

The brief of the concept is to design an eco-tourism hub for the region of KHONOMA (Asia’s first green village) and the proximity near the region. Keeping in mind the local traditions, culture, art and Architecture .The design brief put an emphasis on the articulation of said traditions and their interpretation in modern times without losing the essence of the vernacularity.

KHONOMA is an Angami Naga village located about 20 km west from the state Capital, Kohima, Nagaland. The terrain of the village is hilly, ranging from gentle slopes to steep and rugged hillsides. The hills are covered with lush forestland, rich in various species of flora and fauna.

HORNBILL International Festival which is being celebrated for 10 days every year near this proximity which also creates a benchmark of this village.

This thesis talks about vernacular settlement which can achieve sustainability through planning, orientation, materials and architectural practices evolved from long time due to the socioeconomic, climatic and environmental factors of the Region

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES

•To create an opportunity to the local people as well as for the tourist to get the essence of the context, keeping alive the essence of the context. •To design a better vision for tomorrow by keeping the Essence of the local regional context.

•Reprioritize the usage of the site based on the needs of the site demands. •To make the space a centre of public interaction and activities that reflects the people of the region.

•To engage the people by creating a hub in the village where they can learn, educate and understand each other. •To make use of the site’s assets in terms of creating a landmark for the urban fabric of Kohima people as well.

DESIGN BRIEF + PROGRAMME

The village of Khonoma (Asia’s first green village). As being said that the context of the site is a tourist spot and as the tourism is increasing each year people from around the world are travelling to see this beautiful village and the plus point is that there are many Tourism near the village which clearly states that there is a need for Eco-Tourism Hub in this arena.

Eco tourism is one such activities which will create an activities for the region. The local People gets the opportunity to expose their skills their economy to the tourist, which can create an important part of the hub.

The site will be developed with different types of components: 1. Weekly markets for the villagers, craft shops, Exhibition shops: where the villagers can get exposed and increase their growth of the economy. The market will run only on the basis of once in a week where they can sell all their organic crops or vegetables.

2. Museum: To reflect their culture, tradition and religion also to promote their legacy.

3. Workshop activities: where the tourist can educate the villagers and spread awareness and learn from one another.

The villagers can showcase their skills and even export their talents.

4. Accommodation unit for the tourist people: A home stay feeling accommodation unit for the tourist.

5.Library: It will provide a better exposure for the young generation of the surrounding villages.

6. O.A.T: Cultural program and festival season of recreational space.

DESIGN CONCEPT /APPROACH

The main challenge of design was a Site, which is having area of 92268sq.m. and facing NORTH To EAST direction also having contour difference of 40 meter. Main approach is to analyse with the existing contour and play with the levels. The existing site having contour along the river stream and the bridge is the only approach to the site.

Considering all the challenges, the design was to make ‘imperfect’ spaces with organic dynamism like villages.

With the start of the design development every space and area of the site were divided from part to whole. where every part of the space were defined according the use of the function like the open weekly market ,food stall ,craft shop ,museum ,library, OAT, Workshop area and the Accommodation unit which were segregated from each other but it was connected according to the function and use of the space.

Every function of the spaces were connected as per the user’s inferences. The general restaurant was at the core of the main area, the open market area was segregated totally from those main activities like the library, museum, workshop area, OAT and the Museum.

Although they are two different things we sense their interrelationship and emotional bond. Something very organic yet dynamic to be expressed by the site. The environment to be very vernacular with use of the roof of MORUNG style keeping alive the essence of the Region.

The Morung (or the traditional community house) at Khonoma Village. Acting as an educational institution, A Morung is where youngsters would gain their first few lessons of cultural & traditional knowledge through folk music, dance, folk tales and oral traditions. During the time of war, they were also used as used as a guard-house.

Design used the symbolism of that area through Morung.

VERNACULAR OF THE REGION

1.Use of the materials 2.local Materials, local skills, local technique 3.Keeping alive the essence of the village. 4. Implementing new technique design in terms of architectural thoughts, spaces, functions and purpose of the area. 5. New modern technologies design without losing the essence of the region

shanjo A Kithan

• B.Arch Thesis

13 Responses

I want detail sheet on mail for reffrence

Please contact if you were able to get through.I want to refer the report for my thesis as well.

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I want study report of your thesis for reference

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Hey I loved your Concept, if possible could you share your Area statement or a list of requirements? it would be of great help to my thesis tooo!!!

can i please get your thesis report for reference.

Can I get your thesis report for reference please.

can I also have your details for my thesis.thank you

Can I get your thesis report for reference please

Please share the details that would be great help for my thesis

can you please describe which all case studies you reffered for the same

I have some doubts regarding concept sheet can you please clear my doubts

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ECO-TOURISM HUB IN SHANKARPUR, WEST BENGAL: Revival of a dying ecosystem using Disaster-resilient Architecture

“The waves lashing on to the sand dunes, the crystal-clear sea, the sun setting in the horizon and the casuarinas whispering on the beach.” ~SPRIHA It was perhaps the scenic vision of Shankarpur, fifteen years ago, which first drew me to the place. It was a weekend getaway, a serene, isolated beach in the heart of Bay of Bengal with a small village and fishery. The soft sand dunes and white shells along the beach, the fishermen dragging boats through the dunes into the water, the coconut trees at a distance and “Thakur Da’s dokan” (Grand Pa’s shack) with its “Luchi and Aloo” (bread and potato) were among the many attractions. There were casuarina forests along the beach with nature trails and natural butterfly sanctuaries. Some of the trees had hammocks tied between them. Me and my family were walking through the forest, where we once discovered a natural butterfly sanctuary. The forests were surrounded by the fisherman’s village. For some unknown reason, we kept going back to Shankarpur every year for vacations. It was like being in the lap of nature. However, over the years, when we went for our yearly vacations, we noticed incessant deforestation. The casuarina forests which were once whispering and roaring, withstanding all the storms, were slowly diminishing. Irresponsible tourism and commercialization had destroyed the beach. Suddenly the wildlife and natural sanctuaries were gone. The coastline had started shifting forward. There was a massive ecological disbalance and degradation. After a few years later, in 2016, there were no more casuarina trees. The beach was eroded and deserted. It was no longer accessible. We realized that due to incessant storms and cyclones and the sea level-rising the sand dunes were swept off and now “Thakur Da’s dokan“ (Grandpa's shack) was gone. After I joined Architecture school, I identified the relationship between the environmental, social, and economic aspects of an eco-system. I dared to challenge conventional tourism and explore how architecture can sensitively reverse the ecological disbalance. After re-visiting the village and interacting with the villagers, the following questions arose in my mind: • How can architecture respond to natural disasters and the atrocities of nature? • Were the incessant cyclones and rising sea-levels purely natural disasters or were these the result of devastating human activities and irresponsible coastal tourism? • How can architecture reverse or withstand the damage of these disasters? • Can architecture be a medium of inspiration, thereby educating local communities and tourists, fostering social and economic welfare? • How can I, as an Architect contribute to the change and establish a paradigm shift in the tourism industry?____”REVIVAL OF A DYING ECO-SYSTEM USING DISASTER RESILIENT ARCHITECTURE.” As a student of architecture, I have learnt “the extent up to which the world can be designed and changed, and I aspire to be a part of the change.” What follows in the upcoming pages, is a tribute to my childhood memories and how I have tried to reinforce my dream into reality. “To half the decline of an eco-system it is necessary to think like an eco-system. “ ________Jean Jaques Rousseau. In a world that is shrinking and eco-systems that our dying, there rises a distinct need to extend a field of action of responsible tourism which benefits the environment and thereby the society and consequently the economic growth. While zero-emission, zero-waste and zero-poverty seem to be faraway goals, as an Architect we can discover the world without distorting it. Revitalize ecosystems instead of impoverishing and polluting them. We can build a platform for active participation and restoration of cultural heritage, exchange without arrogance and enrich local communities through eco-sensitive design. In the years to come, the relationship that we maintain with nature will determine the sustainability of the homo-sapiens that we are. Along the coastline of Bay of Bengal, lie many pristine and scenic beaches with rich flora and fauna, namely Digha, Mohana, Talsari, Mandarmoni and Shankarpur which attract millions of tourists over the year. This region is a transitional zone in between sea and land where the casuarinas and mangrove forests were once seen to be whispering and roaring. However , over the last few years, due to incessant storms and cyclones, the sea-level rising and irresponsible coastal tourism there has been a massive ecological disbalance and degradation. Now the casuarina trees are almost gone, and the natural wildlife sanctuaries that once used to exist have all diminished. Along the various beaches which are flooded with tourists, Shankarpur was spotted as a small village with a beach expanding up to 1200 metres. It was comparatively less explored and commercialized than the neighbouring sea beaches but had immense potential for establishing a tourism hub which contributes to its environmental, social and economic standing. It is a severely ecologically affected zone. The coastline has been severely eroded and due to the coastal inundation, there has been removal of sand dunes and forest cover. The Forest Department has been giving proposals for restoring and replanting the lost green cover. There has also been a loss of cultural resources and social disruption due to negligence and lack of employment opportunities. Despite having a soaring literacy rate of 77% the small village population is at an economic and cultural standstill. There are limited transport and communication facilities. All these factors establish a need for a platform which is conducive to the development of the whole area. With this mindset, I shall design an Eco-tourism hub, resolutely committed to the concept of resilience. My proposal will follow the principles of sustainability and disaster resilience. It should protect the life and livelihood for coastal communities and conservation of ecological resources. It should create an interactive ground for locals and visitors so that there may be interchange of ideas and cultural exchange. The project conceives a site-oriented approach and demonstrates how the built environment engages with the natural environment. The natural endowment of the site with its vast expanse of water bodies , parts of which are partially dry, will all be developed. Provision of nature trails and aquascape retreats will be given. Since the beach is inaccessible, natural and artificial aquascapes will play an important part of the design. Nurseries for organic farming, promote self-reliance. Local communities will be involved in cooking and serving authentic cuisines. An eco-friendly approach and cost-effective vernacular architecture will be contextual to the place and easy to accept for the local people. It will challenge the conventional hotels and resorts in coastal regions and serve as an example or prototype to the tourism industry. Resort developments have been planned in border zones, rather deep within ecosystem units. The vernacular colour palette has been maintained among all the built forms to establish a visual linkage. The landscaping has become an extension of the existing ecosystem, mimicking it and preventing further fragmentation.

The site is located 200 metres from the high tide line thereby complying with the coastal regulation norms. It covers a vast expanse of 22 acres with existing palm and coconut tree forests, four existing waterbodies and an existing temple. It is surrounded by the village on its periphery and the shoreline is 200m to its south. Two abutting roads run along its southern and western periphery. The natural endowment of the site has barren organic patches of land in intermediate spaces in the forests. These pristine areas have been left untouched to cause minimum intervention with the existing ecosystem. An FAR of 0.3 has been maintained. Owing to the coastal regulation norms and height restrictions, a horizontal expansion has been opted for. A total built-up area of 78,456 sq.m has been achieved. Tropical cyclones cause maximum cumulative economic loss, hence disaster-resilient techniques were opted for. Most of the built forms are on stilts. This gives a base isolation to the structures and at the same time creates minimum interference with the existing landscape and green cover. The roofs were designed at an angle of 35-40 degrees to enhance resistance to high velocity winds. TECHNOLOGICAL INTERVENTION: Floating structures that rise to survive floods___Buoys protect homes from floods and rising sea levels by making houses float as high as the flood water level rises.The buoys can be made by recycled jugs. When water levels rise tanks lift the building while vertical guideposts extending from the stilts, hold the construction in place letting it go up and down. These amphibious homes are already in use in Vietnam. This technology has been introduced by Dr. ELIZABETH after HURRICANE KATRINA. Some solar passive techniques used are Trombe Michael's wall cooling action and the Parasol roof principle. Building orientation, shading techniques and flow of wind through fenestrations were also taken into considerations. Locally available and recycled materials have been used for construction. The vernacular architecture of West Bengal has been explored with the use of bamboo cross-bracing, mud, and thatched roofs. Climate responsive forms have been adopted taking reference from the pre-fabricated DELTEC HOMES.

Supervisor: Ar. Anshuman Laloo Head of Department: Ar. Maitrayee Mishra Designer: Spriha Chakravorty

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Eco-Tourism and its Architecture: A Methodological Framework for Assessing Progress towards Sustainable Development

This thesis proposes a composite framework for the evaluation of the environmental impact of tourism development on host destinations. In this study, the environmental impact of tourism is considered as a social-ecological phenomenon that can be categorized into the two aspects of natural and social-cultural impacts. Ecotourism is introduced as a type of sustainable tourism in that its policies and principles for development are based on conservation of environmental heritage (including natural and cultural heritage) via engagement of local people and communities in the tourism development process. The proposed composite framework arises from the integration of an ecological and a cultural framework for the sustainable development of tourism. This framework places the conservation of natural resources as the main ecological outcome for eco-tourism. The proposed framework uses the ecological footprint (EF) of the main tourism activities and services (including transportation, food and accommodation services) as the ecological indicator for evaluation of ecotourism development to ensure it is ecologically compatible. Ecological footprint (EF) is a way of measuring environmental impact. It assumes that everything needed for living, including all energy, goods and services can be obtained from land, and that any wastes produced can be absorbed by land (Wackernagel and Rees, 1996:9). Because land productivity varies considerably around the world the average global productivity is the normal measure, and this is called global hectares (gha). The ecological footprint of a product or activity produced/ consumed and conducted by a defined group of people can be measured through the following equation:  EF (gha) = Lifecycle energy use of a given group of people (product and activity pro-duced or conducted) Gigajoules (GJ) / carrying capacity of the Earth (GJ/gha).  The above equation determines the area required to produce resources and to absorb pollutants like carbon dioxide generated in the lifecycle energy use of the product or activity through using fossil fuels (coal, oil and natural gas). Through using an ecological perspective, this thesis views culture as a system that links a group of people or a community to their surroundings through their use of local mate-rials and energies, and the production and consumption of products from these. The proposed framework determines the main cultural outcomes for ecotourism development such as conservation of heritage and making the host people aware of their cultural values. In addition, it introduces related activities such as social events, conservation of heritage and producing and consuming local products as contributive activities for achieving the outcomes stated above. Furthermore it investigates and refines a number of indicators that can be used as tools for evaluation of the cultural footprint of the development of ecotourism. Within these, local gross domestic product (GDP) as a social-economic indicator arising from tourism activities is also considered. This thesis concludes by presenting a case study of ‘The Otago Central Rail Trail’ (OCRT) as an example of ecotourism. The OCRT was introduced in the New Zealand Tourism Strategy (NZTS) for 2015 as a successful model for community-based development of sustainable tourism. The investigation reviews the impacts of the OCRT on natural and cultural heritage by using the framework developed in the thesis and its related ecological and cultural indicators. Through using the proposed holistic framework and the model for sustainable development of ecotourism, this thesis finds that, influenced by the development of the OCRT, many cultural heritage items including 60 bridges, 3 tunnels, and 78 buildings (used as OCRT accommodation services) have been refurbished. The restoration of this heritage can be considered as a policy that contributes to awareness of OCRT residents of their cultural heritage and identity. Likewise, as a part of the educational process related to ecotourism, this also makes an opportunity for OCRT visitors to learn about the cultural values of their host people. As shown in Table 5.84, in 2011, the total EF of 11,788 OCRT visitors including the EFs of the four categories of transportation, food, accommodation and activities is 1,617 gha (0.138 gha /visitor). In comparison with the EF of 0.03 gha/ visitor for sustainable tourism (see Table 5.86), the overshoot portion of the EF of the OCRT is equivalent to (0.138 – 0.03) 0.108 gha/ visitor. Likewise the total overshoot EF of 11,788 OCRT visitors is (11,788 visitors × 0.108 gha) 1,273 gha (see Table 5.86). This overshoot EF of the OCRT indicates that although the project has already been considered as a successful sustainable tourism project, still needs to reduce its total EF by 1,273 gha to be environmentally sustainable. As determined in Chapter 5 (see Table 5.88), the overshoot portion of the OCRT is calculated as 127,310.4 GJ/year. Since the costs to generate 1 GJ of overshoot energy use through using renewable energy sources (in this case wind + solar) is NZ$ 19.8, consequently the total cost to generate the overshoot energy use of the OCRT through using the latter systems (wind + solar) is equivalent to (127,310.4 GJ × NZ$ 19.8) NZ$ 2,720,746. Table 5.90 shows that in 2011, the total GDP of the OCRT is NZ$ 6,245,289 This means the total cost that must be spent to generate the overshoot portion of the OCRT energy use in a sustainable way (NZ$ 2,720,746) is 43.6% of its total GDP (NZ$ 6,245,289). Consequently the sustainable portion of the GDP (GDPs) of the OCRT is (NZ$ 6,245,289 – NZ$ 2, 720,746) NZ$ 3,524,543. The results of this thesis demonstrate that using local products (e.g. home prepared foods) as a sustainable cultural behavior not only contributes to the ability of the host destinations located along the OCRT (such as Naseby and Cromwell, used as further case studies) to present their cultural products, but also contributes to reduce the environmental impacts and increase the economic outcomes of the OCRT. For example, producing 17% (13,346.4 kg) of the total of 65165.05 kg consumed food as home prepared food reduces by 5.5% the ecological footprint related to the food consumed by OCRT visitors. As determined in Chapters 5 and 6, in three case studies, producing home prepared food contributes in a sustainable way to the increasing of the economic outcomes by about NZ$3.5 / kg of food produced. This thesis indicates that in all three case studies, using refurbished buildings as accommodation services, which is considered as an activity that contributes to preserving the cultural identity of the host destinations also contributes to reducing of environmental impacts and increasing the economic outcomes related to OCRT. For example in OCRT using 12.9% of bed space as refurbished buildings reduces by14.5% (7.3gha) the total 50.5 gha ecological footprint of accommodation services compared with when all accommodation buildings are assumed as new buildings. Chapters 5 and 6 determine that in OCRT using 21,378 m2 of refurbished buildings as accommodation services (12.9% of total bed spaces) increases by 5% the sustainable portion of GDP related to accommodation services. In Naseby also using refurbished buildings as accommodation services has the same sustainable ecological, cultural and economic outcomes as for the OCRT as a whole. The framework indicates the use of open air areas as being a cultural-ecological indicator for evaluation of architecture as being sustainable. Through using the framework, it is determined that using open air areas including balconies and verandas as part of OCRT accommodation buildings exerts environmentally friendly influences on the host destination. For instance in OCRT using 387 square meters of veranda and balcony as part of the 80,356m2 accommodation buildings decreases by 1.5% the total ecological footprint (50.5gha) of buildings used as accommodation services in OCRT. The thesis results demonstrate that an architecture that will contribute to sustainable development through ecotourism has a cultural footprint area in which the architecture contributes to the host societies knowing and preserving their cultural identity, capitals and heritages. Simultaneously, it contributes to reducing the environmental impacts and increasing the economic outcomes of the host societies through ecotourism. This thesis determines that since all ecological, cultural and economic characteristics of sustainable architecture are linked together, a strategy to develop sustainable architecture is successful when it considers the linkage between all of these profiles and influences that they exert on each other.

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Eco Tourism Interpretation Center at Loktak Lake : World’s only floating lake | Mohit Raj

Third Award | Cultural

Finally in my last and 5 th year of architecture, it’s time for my thesis proposal, for which I opt topic: “Eco-tourism Interpretation Center at Loktak Lake: World’s only floating lake” where the challenges were like heights of surviving in totally different scenario.

Participant  Name: Mohit Raj University: Politecnico Di Milano, Italy Country : India Eco Tourism Interpretation Center at Loktak Lake : World’s only floating lake

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Eco-Tourism Architecture

• by Elif Ayse Fidanci
• 8 February 2023

The sustainable tourism industry is a sector that has grown by 80% in the last decade. Among the main drivers of its growth are the increasing number of architects who care deeply about the environment, and also an increase in world population.

Tourism architecture projects often look to take into account both ethical and aesthetic considerations. On the one hand, they need to take into account environmental issues such as climate change, sustainability and recycling; on the other hand, they need to provide aesthetically pleasing structures for their visitors.

Environmental sustainability is a worldwide trend on the rise and with eco-tourism architecture, these trends have found tourism architecture expression. There are many ways to design sustainable tourism, and eco-tourism architecture at its best provides for natural ecosystems, water conservation, waste reduction, and other ecological benefits such as air quality as well as shortening distances between tourists and the natural world.

In order to be sustainable hotels should provide energy efficiency in all areas from construction to amenities. They need to use renewable energy sources such as solar power or use more efficient fossil fuels like biogas. The hotel’s business model should include measures of reduced consumption. Guests should be encouraged to take public transport when possible or car pooling with other guests when necessary for longer distances. Re-using materials for construction is another way of reducing the demand on natural resources such as timber or steel. –

The river that is close to this wellness health resort converges water from the entire region, forming a confluence of tiny waterfalls that provides enough flow to power a hydroelectric generator that can sustain the electricity of the complex’s structures. Merging with nature has been at the heart of the design approach, not only through its functioning but also by employing materials found immediately on the site and in the surrounding vicinity, allowing the resort to become entirely carbon neutral.

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The Wat Pa Maha Chedi Kaew temple, often known as the Million Bottle Temple, is constructed of millions of recycled glass bottles in Thailand’s Sisaket region. Glass bottles are not only a sustainable building material, but they also enable natural light to enter and do not require painting. Furthermore, the glassbottle bricks are simple to clean and maintain.

The Randilen Wildlife Management Area include ElewanaTarangire Treetops, Tanzania, which has a diverse wildlife population and beautiful scenery. Visitors who stay at ElewanaTarangire Treetops support the preservation of natural regions and the advantages of responsible travel.

According to Antti Nikander, the cooperative’s organizer, Santa Claus Village takes sustainability, and in particular the battle against climate change, very seriously. About 50 businesses in the tourist and experiences sectors are represented by the cooperative, which is based near the Arctic Circle. Even though the Arctic Circle has only recently made considerable strides toward sustainable development and even though there is still more to be done, the cooperative is confident that the enterprises are moving in the right path and have a genuine desire to promote sustainable tourism.

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• Reflective Essay
• Published: 10 September 2019
• Volume 1 , pages 233–247, ( 2019 )

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The twenty-first century is the era when populations of cities will exceed rural communities for the first time in human history. The population growth of cities in many countries, including those in transition from planned to market economies, is putting considerable strain on ecological and natural resources. This paper examines four central issues: (a) the challenges and opportunities presented through working in jurisdictions where there are no official or established methods in place to guide regional, ecological and landscape planning and design; (b) the experience of the author’s practice—Gillespies LLP—in addressing these challenges using techniques and methods inspired by McHarg in Design with Nature in the Russian Federation in the first decade of the twenty-first century; (c) the augmentation of methods derived from Design with Nature in reference to innovations in technology since its publication and the contribution that the art of landscape painters can make to landscape analysis and interpretation; and (d) the application of this experience to the international competition and colloquium for the expansion of Moscow. The text concludes with a comment on how the application of this learning and methodological development to landscape and ecological planning and design was judged to be a central tenant of the winning design. Finally, a concluding section reflects on lessons learned and conclusions drawn.

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Acknowledgements

The landscape team from Gillespies Glasgow Studio (Steve Nelson, Graeme Pert, Joanne Walker, Rory Wilson and Chris Swan) led by the author and all our collaborators in the Capital Cities Planning Group.

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Mackintosh School of Architecture, The Glasgow School of Art, 167 Renfrew Street, Glasgow, G3 6BY, UK

Brian Mark Evans

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Evans, B.M. Reimagining Design with Nature: ecological urbanism in Moscow. Socio Ecol Pract Res 1 , 233–247 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s42532-019-00031-5

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Received : 17 March 2019

Accepted : 13 August 2019

Published : 10 September 2019

Issue Date : October 2019

DOI : https://doi.org/10.1007/s42532-019-00031-5

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8 Projects that Exemplify Moscow's Urban Movement

• Written by Marie Chatel
• Published on July 27, 2016

When it comes to urbanism these days, people’s attention is increasingly turning to Moscow . The city clearly intends to become one of the world’s leading megacities in the near future and is employing all necessary means to achieve its goal, with the city government showing itself to be very willing to invest in important urban developments (though not without some criticism ).

A key player in this plan has been the Moscow Urban Forum . Although the forum’s stated goal is to find adequate designs for future megacities, a major positive side-effect is that it enables the city to organize the best competitions, select the best designers, and build the best urban spaces to promote the city of Moscow. The Forum also publishes research and academic documents to inform Moscow’s future endeavors; for example, Archaeology of the Periphery , a publication inspired by the 2013 forum and released in 2014, notably influenced the urban development on the outskirts of Moscow, but also highlighted the importance of combining urban development with the existing landscape.

Concluding earlier this month, the 2016 edition of the Moscow Urban Forum focused on smart cities and the impact of technology on the ways we interact with people and use public infrastructure and civic spaces. The 2016 Forum invited city officials, urbanists, and architectural practitioners – including Yuri Grigoryan from Project MEGANOM ; Pei Zhu from Studio Pei Zhu ; Hani Rashid from Asymptote ; Reinier de Graaf from OMA ; Yosuke Hayano from MAD Architects ; and Kengo Kuma from Kengo Kuma Architects – to share about their knowledge and experiences in urban design. With the city looking forward to the built results of the latest Forum, we take a look back at some of the major developments in Moscow that have emerged in the past five years.

1) Gorky Park and Garage Museum

In 2010 the city government decided to improve Muscovites’ urban environment and create public spaces, and Gorky Park was the first project of note. The Russian equivalent of Central Park, it used to attract masses of tourists to its amusement park, but no residents would spend time there. Its reconstruction began in 2011 and featured infrastructure for strolling, sport, work, culture and leisure.

Inside the park lies the Garage Museum of Contemporary Art , a landmark building from the Brezhnev communist era which was renovated and transformed by OMA in 2015. The Dutch firm kept the original structure “as found,” only repairing elements from its prefabricated concrete walls – often clad with brick and decorative green tiles. Instead, the redesign focused on a double-skin facade of polycarbonate plastic that enclosed the original structure and preserved it from decay.

2) Zaryadye Park, Diller Scofidio + Renfro

Due to open in 2018, Zaryadye Park designed by Diller Scofidio + Renfro is probably one of Moscow ’s most cutting-edge projects. Located next to the Kremlin, the Red Square, and St Basil’s Cathedral, the project embodies what the architects calls “Wild Urbanism.” The project notably includes four artificial microclimates that mimic Russian landscape typologies: the steppe, the forest, the wetland and tundra. “It is a park for Russia made from Russia,” as Charles Renfro explains , in that “it samples the natures of Russia and merges them with the city, to become a design that could only happen here. It embodies a wild urbanism, a place where architecture and landscape are one.”

3) Moscow Riverfront, Project Meganom

Russian firm Project Meganom has also designed an ambitious project for Moscow ’s riverfront. Their masterplan also aims for a dialogue between the built and natural environment. A series of linear green spaces follow the river, and lines for pedestrians, cyclists, cars, and public transport are clearly delineated, improving the use of the public squares. River embankments are also transformed to function as areas for activities, communication, education and creativity nodes for public gathering.

4) Krymskaya Embankment, Wowhaus Architecture Bureau

Wowhaus Architecture Bureau recently transformed the 4-lane road at Krymskaya Embankment into a landscape park that connects Gorky Park with Krymsky bridge. The area used to be deserted, but is now reactivated with distinct transit and sport zones, as well as pavilions for artists’ exhibitions. Wave-shaped bicycle ramps, paths, and benches feature on the artificial landscape, which is also used for sledding, skiing, and skating in the winter.

5) Hermitage Museum and ZiL Tower in Moscow, Asymptote Architecture

New York architectural firm Asymptote Architecture are currently building two projects, a 150-meter residential tower and a satellite facility for St Petersburg’s well-known Hermitage Museum , where modern and contemporary art collections will be displayed. Situated in one of Moscow ’s oldest industrial areas, Asymptote’s buildings will lie in place of a Constructivist factory – which explains why the museum was reportedly inspired by El Lissitzky's "Proun" painting, as the terrace interior clearly shows.

6) “My Street”

“My Street” is the largest-scale program led by Moscow ’s government. The project aims to create about 50 kilometers of new pedestrian zones within the city center and periphery. The extensive program aims to solve parking issues, renovate street facades, and repair sidewalks and walkways with delimited areas for public transports, cars, cyclists, and pedestrians. “My Street” also requires a strong governance strategy and coordination; led by the Strelka Institute’s consultation arm KB Strelka , the project also involves 17 Russian and foreign architecture practices that were all individually in charge of one street, square or group of streets. Notable architects include the German firm Topotek 1 , the Dutch group West 8 , and the Russian firm Tsimailo , Lyashenko and Partners.

7) Moscow Metro

Moscow Metro is an architectural masterpiece that has been elaborated on since the 1920s. Its stations from the Stalin era are known for their unique designs with high ceilings, elaborate chandeliers and fine granite and marble cladding. To ensure that Moscow Metro remains an emblem of the city’s urban culture and powerful transportation system, the city’s government organized various competitions for the renovation of some Metro stations. Russian-based practice Nefa Architects was chosen to redesign Moscow’s Solntsevo Metro Station, while Latvian firm U-R-A will transform Novoperedelkino Subway Station . New stations are also being built, including two stations by Russian firms Timur Bashkayev Architectural Bureau and Buromoscow which should be completed by the end of 2018.

8) Luzhniki Stadium

Luzhniki Stadium is Moscow ’s main venue for sporting and cultural events. With Russia hosting the 2018 FIFA World Cup , the stadium should reflect Moscow’s intent to become a leading megacity, which is why $540 million has been spent on construction works. Its renovation mainly focuses on the roof and seating areas, and the capacity is planned to increase up to 81,000 seats. Works will be completed by 2017.

Find out more information and talks on Moscow’s urban development and the future of megacities on Moscow Urban Forum’s YouTube channel .

• Sustainability

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