Over the past decade, Moscow has changed completely. Even 15 years ago, the appearance of the capital was obscured by chaotic banners on the main streets, mismatched signs, gaudy shopping centers and stalls at each metro station and between them. Now they have almost disappeared, and Moscow has managed to declare itself as a city of modern space, light, and comfort.
Uncontrolled settlement- no!
Perhaps the most powerful breakthrough in the return of Moscow to its architectural face was made in 2016, when hundreds of illegally built objects were sent for demolition. These were buildings erected in public areas, standing on communications and preventing their maintenance. The owners were given two months to disassemble them themselves, with the right to receive compensation from the city authorities. After this period, the city dismantled the untidy in one night.
Today, when the city center is practically freed from self-construction, the authorities are putting things in order in residential areas. To detect illegal buildings, modern technologies are used – quadrocopters, city surveillance cameras, orthophotoplanes. At the same time, most of the objects are dismantled by the owners voluntarily. Now few people sadly remember the demolished plywood stalls: the streets of the city have become more spacious, there are orderly buildings and improved territories near metro stations, which means that the city has become more comfortable and safer.
Garden-blossom!
Until recently, Muscovites, going on a trip to Europe, complained that Moscow parks are much inferior to European ones, where you can spend time relaxed and exciting. Since then, the capital’s parks have been transformed. What is worth only one “Zaryadye”, which has become an indispensable tourist attraction since its creation, popular with city residents and tourists.
The design of the capital’s parks was greatly adjusted, paths for walking and sports were cleared – running, roller skating or cycling, a cultural and entertainment program appeared in the form of various master classes. Today, Moscow’s parks are not only not inferior to European ones, but also serve as an example for many cities. And the number of Muscovites who enjoy spending time in them has grown more than eight times over the years.
On the rights of a healthy lifestyle
Previously, it seemed that in a megalopolis of such a scale as Moscow, it was possible to move exclusively by public transport or by car. Ten years ago, there was no question of cutting through the capital on a bicycle. Some daredevils who did this only reinforced the feeling that they did not belong here. Today everything looks different: bike paths are firmly rooted in the urban layout, there are many bicycle rental points and electric scooters, it has become comfortable to move with a bicycle transport around the MCC and the MCC, where special places are provided for it. All this makes this lifestyle not only fashionable, but also convenient, so Muscovites increasingly prefer to get from point A to point B by two-wheeled transport, and citywide bike races attract more and more participants.
Ah, the festival
Where once stalls and spontaneous shopping centers were randomly piled up in lush color, festival venues are located. For many, it has already become a tradition to come to one of the city’s carousels with children, attend thematic fairs, take part in master classes with the whole family. Over the past ten years, cool festival stories have developed in Moscow, when food enthusiasts and masters of their craft exhibit their own products in parks or at cultural venues.
The same applies to food. Once upon a time, Muscovites from street food chains had only McDonald’s and Teremok. It all started with trial restaurant days at the artisanal amateur level of the “table on the street” format. Today, this is a whole concept of street markets operating in the white zone, according to all sanitary and other standards. And it is not only beautiful and convenient, but also safe and interesting. Within the framework of different festivals, you can try the cuisine of different styles and directions.
Everyone to the skating rink
It seems that our love for figure skating was formed in the last century at the genetic level. But in the post-Soviet era, many points where this love could be implemented were lost: the yard ice rinks stopped working, and there was no accompanying infrastructure on the central ones.
Today, the ice rinks in the courtyards began to be filled and cleaned again, and in the central districts of the city, a comfortable and cozy atmosphere is attached to them – changing rooms, rental equipment, food courts. So in recent years, everything related to ice skating, whether it’s hockey, figure skating or speed skating, has become available not only on TV, but also for independent development in any of the convenient points of the city.
Let there be light!
One of the most important indicators of a comfortable and modern urban infrastructure is the creation of a barrier – free environment, the availability of a variety of elements – basic, social, cultural-to those whose opportunities are limited. Here Moscow still has a lot to grow, but still, the number of ramps for children and wheelchairs in underground passages and entrances is gradually increasing significantly in the city.
Finally, there is still light. In recent years, urban lighting has become one of the most important elements of the capital’s architecture. Therefore, it is no coincidence that for five years in a row Moscow has been included in the top 5 most illuminated cities in the world. This creates security (there are almost no dark, unlit alleys left in the capital, which are scary to walk through), and also a festive mood. After all, who among us did not fall in love with the new Nikolskaya Street, an unspoken symbol of the last World Cup, or did not walk along the elegant New Year’s avenues of the capital, richly decorated with glowing garlands. In short, Moscow is changing, and these changes are clearly for the better.
Source: lenta.ru