Participants of the “Creating the Future” Symposium Discuss What Cities Should Become in the Coming Decades

At the International Symposium “Creating the Future,” a discussion case study titled “Cities of the Future: Creating a Space for Life” was held, bringing together Russian and international experts in urban development. The main goal of the event was to discuss what a truly successful city should be like in the coming decades and what measures need to be taken to make this vision a reality.

Russia has much to offer its international counterparts in this field. Alexey Eresko, Deputy Minister of Construction and Housing and Utilities of the Russian Federation, highlighted two domestic innovations that are in high demand globally. The first is the creation of comfortable living conditions in extremely cold climates, implemented in several cities within the Arctic Circle. The second is the construction of “science cities” aimed at enabling residents to fully realize their professional potential.

“Today, we clearly understand the special role of cities in developing human capital and the new economy. Russia has always sought a unique city formula, and through the Ministry of Construction, we continue this work. Together with DOM.RF, we are developing new approaches in building future housing. Key programs are being implemented in the direction of domestic and inbound tourism. Revolutionary changes have been achieved within the federal project ‘Creating a Comfortable Urban Environment’ — we have improved more than 30,000 public spaces and over 40,000 courtyards, covering 132 million people in total,” said Alexey Eresko.

Participants also exchanged views on the key qualities that a prosperous and comfortable city of the future should possess. “The city of the future is an inclusive city that meets the basic needs of its residents while adhering to the principles of sustainable development,” emphasized Ephraim Abel Kayembe, a member of the Malawi parliament.

The participants discussed possible ways to achieve this goal. James Law, CEO of Cybertecture from Hong Kong, spoke about how technological and infrastructure development of cities could transform the appearance of the entire planet. “Cities are humanity’s greatest invention throughout the history of civilization. At Cybertecture, we believe that cities are our future salvation. They can become completely self-sufficient — producing their own food, generating water, and creating clean air. If this happens, the entire planet will appear as a new, futuristic model of development,” noted James Law.

Roya Leyli, Director of Urban Diplomacy and Member Relations at the Asian Mayors Forum in Ramsar, Iran, stressed the importance of developing large settlements for the welfare of states as a whole. In her view, the future will be created in cities, making their stable development a priority. “It is essential to create sustainable urban plans that take into account transport development, green space creation, and community engagement in city life. Connections between urban planners and city residents need to be established. Innovations are also vital, as ‘smart technologies’ help develop eco-friendly solutions and effectively address the challenges cities face. Working with policymakers who support sustainability is also crucial. Another important aspect is education, providing resources and programs to teach communities sustainability practices,” noted Roya Leyli.

In turn, Irina Makieva, Chief Managing Partner for Urban Development at VEB.RF, presented the results of a comprehensive analysis of long-term development plans currently being developed and implemented in Russian cities. She highlighted Yakutsk, which is working on a project to create the country’s IT capital, and Tyumen, which is shifting its traditional “oil and gas” image to become a center of creative industries. “Such high ambitions are not just fantasies. It is essential that these visions translate into concrete projects and that everyone on the city management team understands their role,” concluded Irina Makieva.

The role of creative industries in shaping a new image for cities was also highlighted. “Creative industries are a lifeline for small towns and a powerful impetus for creating entirely new settlements, the cities of the future. Today, we are working with leading experts from universities and research centers, with leaders in the creative economy, on experimental projects such as TENGRI TERRA and ‘Mountain Cradle,’ creating a new socio-economic model that links traditional activities with creative industries. We plan to pilot this in the Altai Republic,” noted Marina Abramova, President of the ANO “Creative Economy.”

The International Symposium “Creating the Future” is being held from November 4 to 6. Participants include scientists, researchers, futurists, science fiction writers, and government representatives from 101 countries, including Russia, India, Italy, Iran, China, the UAE, Serbia, the USA, and France. The program includes more than 60 sessions on four main topics: the future of humanity, the future of technology, the future of a multipolar world, and the future of civilizations. The program and event broadcasts are available on the website https://future.russia.ru/.

The International Symposium “Creating the Future” is the first event of the National Center “Russia,” established on July 1, 2024, by decree of the President of the Russian Federation, Vladimir Putin. The center aims to preserve the legacy of the International Exhibition Forum “Russia” and showcase the achievements of the country and its citizens. Federal authorities, state companies, corporations, and regions are involved in the center’s work.