Urban Design

Urban design is a complicated subject for post-Communist locations. Many were founded in ancient times, meaning that their centers feature tight, winding streets and a density of historical structures that make new developments and reforms difficult. Many were expanded greatly by the communists, with new districts of sprawling and utilitarian block housing, new imposing buildings of experimental architectural design, and, often, massive new public transport systems. Most of the cities considered here have also gone through a renaissance of sorts in the post-Soviet era, discovering ways to make more of their city districts modern, comfortable, and more functional.

New Holland Island in St. Petersburg

New Holland / Новая Голландия Embankment of the Admiralteskiy Canal, 2 Metro Admiralteskaya Open daily from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. After returning from his travels abroad to Holland and a stint studying shipbuilding there, Peter the Great decided to establish a little bit of Holland in his own country. Conceived as a military port […]

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