Published on: 2026-11-09
Source: Government of the Russian Federation –
An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.
“Yaha Park,” Novy Urengoy, Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous Okrug.
Urban improvement in Russia has become one of the most noticeable directions of state policy for citizens. Parks, embankments, squares, streets, and courtyards are being renewed; attractive pedestrian areas are appearing – both in large and small cities and historic settlements. The high standards of a comfortable urban environment are set by the federal project “Formation of a Comfortable Urban Environment,” within which more than 122,000 spaces have been improved nationwide since 2017. This was reported by Deputy Prime Minister Marat Khusnullin.
“The federal project ‘Creating a Comfortable Urban Environment’ has become one of the most recognizable federal projects among the country’s residents. In nearly ten years, over 122 thousand areas have been improved across the country. Modern, convenient, and attractive public spaces have been created—parks, pedestrian streets, central squares, small parks, improved waterfronts and water-side facilities, as well as residential areas and courtyards. Since 2025, the project has been integrated into the structure of the national project ‘Infrastructure for Life’, which means this work continues despite the challenging situation,” said Marat Khusnullin.
The Deputy Prime Minister added that an important tool for the development of the urban environment remains the All-Russian competition of the best projects for creating a comfortable urban environment. It has been held since 2018: during this time, 1903 winning projects have been selected, of which 1187 have already been implemented. In addition, an annual nationwide online voting for improvement objects is held, which over six years has gathered more than 84 million votes, indicating the popularity and demand for improvement programs and the high recognition of the project among citizens.
“We see fundamental changes in the methodology of planning public spaces: resident involvement has significantly increased, and architectural and planning solutions have become higher quality and more elaborated. It is very important that the improvement also stimulates commercial activity – more than 30.9 thousand jobs and about 7 thousand points of commercial activity have been created, small business, manufacturing, and the local economy are developing,” emphasized Minister of Construction and Housing and Communal Services Irek Faizullin.
Well-maintained spaces are becoming the calling cards of cities.
For example, in Kholmsk, Sakhalin region, the “Green Harbor” project has been completed: an eco-park on Shevchenko Street is connected by a bike-ski trail to the neighboring park, with a promenade, barbecue area, skate park, dance pavilion, children’s playgrounds, stage, as well as shops and cafes.
In Blagoveshchensk, Republic of Bashkortostan, the historic Sovetskaya Street – “Voskresenskie Rows” – has been improved with pedestrian and waterfront zones, art installations, and landscaping.
The second phase of the improvement of “Yakha Park” with eco-trails, an accessible environment, a winter ice rink, and a coffee shop is nearing completion in Novy Urengoy, YNAO.
In the town of Pochinok in the Smolensk region, Gastello Park has been created, featuring a children’s playground, a stage, a memorial area, and an art object called the “Time Capsule.”
In the town of Biryuch in the Belgorod region, the “Biryuchenskie Ryady” project has united 11 functional zones, including a dry fountain and an amphitheater.
In Starodub, Bryansk region, the “40 Years of Victory” square has been improved with a fountain, sports and children’s playgrounds, a photo zone rotunda, and a preserved memorial area.
In Volnovakha, the DPR implemented the “Revival of the Summer Park” project. On an area of 12.9 hectares, they placed children’s playgrounds, a workout zone, a mirror maze, an amphitheater, a fountain, restored a memorial, and installed a new monument to the SVO fighters.
Support for improvement projects continues to be enhanced. Thus, the All-Russian competition for the best projects for creating a comfortable urban environment is proposed to be supplemented with tools to support inclusive solutions – a directive on this was signed by the President of Russia, Vladimir Putin. This concerns support measures for projects where the improvement will be synchronized with activities funded under the state program “Accessible Environment.”
There are already corresponding examples of the development of public spaces in the regions: in Naro-Fominsk, ramps and a network of pedestrian paths have been made on Youth Square; in Novy Urengoy, in “Yakha Park”, the layout of paths takes into account the needs of people with limited mobility and families with children; in the village of Berdigestyakh (Yakutia), the Slava “Eregey” park combines memorial, recreational, and sports infrastructure, including for adaptive sports.
Please note; This information is raw content received directly from the information source. It is an accurate report of what the source claims and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.