At the "Shaping the Future" International Symposium, urban development experts from Russia and abroad gathered for a case-study discussion titled "Cities of the Future: Creating Living Spaces." The event focused on defining the characteristics of successful cities in the coming decades and the measures needed to achieve this vision.
Innovations from Russia: Arctic Living and Science Cities
Alexey Eresko, Deputy Minister of Construction and Housing and Communal Services of the Russian Federation, highlighted two Russian innovations that are globally significant. The first is the creation of comfortable living conditions in extreme cold climates, implemented in several Arctic cities. The second is the development of science cities, designed for the professional fulfillment of residents.
"We now clearly understand the special role of cities in developing human capital and the new economy. Russia has always sought unique urban formulas, and we continue this work within the Ministry's activities. Together with DOM.RF, we are developing new approaches to housing construction for the future," said Eresko.
He noted the success of the "Creating a Comfortable Urban Environment" federal project, which has transformed over 30,000 public spaces and 40,000 courtyards, benefiting 132 million people.
Key Traits of Future Cities
The participants identified key qualities of a prosperous and livable city:
"A city of the future must be inclusive, meeting the core needs of its residents while adhering to principles of sustainable development," emphasized Ephraim Abel Kayembe, a member of Malawi’s parliament.
James Law, CEO of Cybertecture in Hong Kong, highlighted the transformative potential of cities in reshaping the Earth:
"Cities are humanity's greatest invention in history. We at Cybertecture believe that cities are our future salvation. They can become fully self-sustaining—producing food, generating water, and purifying air. If this becomes a reality, the entire planet could evolve into a new, futuristic model of development."
Roya Leyli, Director of Urban Diplomacy at the Asian Mayors Forum from Ramsar, Iran, emphasized the importance of urban development for national prosperity:
"Cities will be the places where the future is created, making their stable development a priority. Sustainable urban plans must integrate transportation, green spaces, and community engagement while fostering innovation and collaboration between urban planners and citizens."
Russian Cities as Examples of Innovation
Irina Makieva, Managing Partner for Urban Development at VEB.RF, presented examples of long-term urban development plans in Russia. She highlighted Yakutsk, aiming to become the IT capital, and Tyumen, transforming from a traditional oil-and-gas hub into a center for creative industries.
"These ambitions must translate into actionable projects, with city management teams understanding their roles clearly,"said Makieva.
Creative Industries and Urban Transformation
Marina Abramova, President of the "Creative Economy" NGO, stressed the role of creative industries in reshaping cities:
"Creative industries act as first responders for small towns and a powerful driver for creating entirely new urban settlements. We are working on experimental projects like TENGRI TERRA and 'Mountain Cradle,' developing a new socio-economic model that blends traditional activities with creative industries. Our pilot will be implemented in the Altai Republic."
About the "Shaping the Future" Symposium
The "Shaping the Future" Symposium, held November 4–6, features over 60 sessions covering topics such as humanity's future, technology, multipolarity, and civilizations. Participants include scientists, futurists, writers, and officials from 101 countries, including Russia, India, Italy, Iran, China, the UAE, Serbia, the USA, and France. For details and live streams, visit future.russia.ru.
The symposium is the inaugural event of the National Center "Russia," established on July 1, 2024, by Russian President Vladimir Putin. The center preserves the legacy of the "Russia" International Exhibition-Forum and highlights the nation's achievements through collaborations with government bodies, corporations, and regional authorities.
