Unofficial security: babushka

#1, December 2013

new issue on

Russian phenomena

Strelka security publishing

SECURITY

Index

Our contributors Juris Kostirko

Daniele Belleri Italian journalist. From Reuters to Wired via

Ukraine. Passionate to eat well and a lot.

Kirill Lebedev

Andersson

life. Smiles a lot. Loves sunrises.

Portrait:

The traditional Russian babushka*

Babushka Who? practical key person.

Occupation: Retired/Janitor/surveiller Form: voluntary person organizing the house Habitat: Bench outside, her own apartment, everywhere in the house.

Favourite activity: Gossip

“wathches the neighbourood�

Reportage:

About Types of housing: Krushovka, highrises and “elite houses�

Building year: 1960- ongoing transformation Characteristics: Freestanding houses, highrises, local square Number of inhabitants: 2,920

In the coming years, all the Krushovka typologies will be replaced with highrises.

Krushovka:

Average highrise:

Elite complex:

external surveillance, babushka and cameras

internal and external surveillance, babushka and concierge with cameras

internal surveillance, guards, cameras

Security systems

1. Guard central What? hired security staff.

Place: given guard post, guard booth, patrolling

2. Concierge What? surveiller, complete lifestyle.

Place: room in connection to the entrance.

3. Camera What? Technical device for central supervison.

Place: Mounted on walls.

4. Babushka What? voluntary person orpractical key person.

Place: Bench outside, her own apartment, everywhere in the house.

Security aspects Social trust Public space Presence of other people Physical barriers Trust in legal system

1960

1. Guard central 2. Concierge

2000

1. Guard central 2. Concierge

2010

1. Guard central 2. Concierge

3. Camera

3. Camera

3. Camera

4. Babushka

4. Babushka

4. Babushka

Where have the babuskas gone?

Can we still use their: Volunteer work Social engagement Wisdom Supervisor

“Big babushka” Since 2011, 243 million rub was spent on cameras to control public space

“Copaabana�

Moscow has 110 winter days per year Binoculars give a view range of 100 meters

“Babusquarium�

After the terrorist attack 1999 a governmental program was established to provide all houses with concierges

“The downtown retirement club” 24% of Muscovites are retired

4

“The urban datcha�

The cost of maintaining a courtyard in Moscow is 440 000 rub per year

The ultimate solution:

“win-win situation”

babushka <3 neighbourhood neighbourhood <3 babushka