Concept for Sokolniki Park in Moscow - English Version

4 Parks, 40 Forests, 1 Sokolniki MLA+

Contents

Concept of the territorial development for the Sokolniki Park

2

Introduction

3

5

Universal nature of the park

53

1

Moscow Parks, the role of Sokolniki

4

5.1

Proposals for the developmemt of the park infrastructure

54

1.1

The Moscow park system, the DNA of the park

5

5.2

Proposals for events

58

1.2

Sokolniki park, Status quo

10

5.3

Biodiversity scheme

59

1.3

Park in the city, Demand of the urban dweller

1.3

5.4

Proposals for disabled visitors

68

2

Vision for Sokolniki

15

5.5

Involvement of local public associations and communities

69

2.1

Concept

16

5.6

Right to play

70

2.2

Masterplan

22

6

Scheduled and newsworthy events of the park

71

3

Internal and external integration of the territory

23

6.1

Sokolniki Park in comparison

72

3.1

Park territory integration in the external urban environment

24

6.2

Positioning of Sokolniki Park

73

3.2

Connecting Sokolniki with surrounding parks

29

6.3

Criterias for the selection of events and activities

75

3.3

Method of territory integration

30

6.4

Proposed events and activities in the park

76

3.4

Distribution of flows of the main groups

33

6.5

Predicted change in the structure of the target audience

87

3.5

Free movement of visitors with limited mobility

34

6.6

Public and private partnership mechanisms

88

3.6

Mechanisms for the third party land users territory intergration

35

7

Economic stability of the park

89

3.7

Park attendance forecast, main entrances and parking spaces

36

7.1

Framework financial model and assessment of the park’s operating efficiency

90

4

Increasing homogeneity of the park territory use

38

7.2

Framework financial model

91

Functional zoning of the park

39

7.3

Cooperation of Sokolniki park Directorate with third party owners

95

4.1

7.4

Mechanisms of public and private partnership

96

Measures and solutions to increase the homogeneity of using the territory of the park

40

7.5

Proposals for the optimization of the park administrative management model

97

Park navigation and informing system

51

7.6

Proposals for the transformation of the catering system

99

Next Steps

100

4.2 4.3

Introduction

Concept of the territorial development for the Sokolniki Park

Moscow, unlike many other metropolises is blessed with big green spaces. This green tissue is one of the quality features of the city, a unique selling point.

While the parks fulfilled important roles as condensers of ‘soviet life’, their character has changed. Only recently, Moscow’s authorities have recognized the potential these green spaces have for the quality of life for the local population but also as important tools to brand the city internationally and within.

Nowadays there are two contradictory concepts about the organization of parks: firstly, the environmental focus for large parks and forest parks, and, secondly, the intensification of activities related to the placement of commercial buildings, rides, increasing the share of the hard coating in the rest of the parks in which conservation of natural elements (environmental concept) does not work because of high costs. As a result, city parks are losing their appeal. Especially in the larger parks that have both, an urban front and a landscape hinterland, those concepts collide without any clear reasoning which concept should be given priority. This ultimately leads to a gradual proliferation of commercial – read hard - activity in larger and larger areas at the expense of the environmental – read soft – role.

Establishing a balance between these forces is one of the key challenges of the spatial and operational models; Moscow parks and Sokolniki Park in particular need to develop. The model proposed therefore takes a multi-threaded and integrated approach that seeks to propose concerted concepts that combine spatial, programmatic, economic and administrative questions to formulate solutions – four parks under one forest.

Challenge: to increase attractiveness and use of the park, but at the same time to preserve nature

3

Concept of the territorial development for the Sokolniki Park

1.

MOSCOW PARKS, THE ROLE OF SOKOLNIKI

4

1.1 The Moscow park system, the DNA of the Park

Concept of the territorial development for the Sokolniki Park

Moscow’s Parks

The Moscow Park system as it shows on maps today is the result of more than a century of urban development. However, until recently it has not been looked at as a system but rather as a collection of public green spaces. It is the change in perception of the role of urban green and the international competition to provide quality living environments that made the leadership of the city realize that they have to take action and transform the city’s parks into better maintained and usable public spaces, creating new leisure facilities and care for the health of citizens.

CURRENT PROBLEMS:

MOSGORPARK:

er than Gorky Park Gorky or Izmaylovsky Park do not have

In 2012 to attract more tourists to the city (in 2013 the number of tourists in Moscow increased to 5,6 million) and to make life of citizens more comfortable the Moscow government established the state program “Development of Recreation and Tourism 2012-2016”. One of its core elements was the foundation of Mosgorpark, the “Moscow City Department of Parks and Recreation”. Mosgorpark focuses on development of 14 Parks of culture, leisure and recreation:

The park network is unevenly distributed across Moscow, leading to a strong imbalance in the provision of urban green.

Especially the southern and south-eastern part of the city is under provided and most of the parks are concentrated in the northern part of the city and within the Garden Ring.

Analysis of Moscow parks showed that not all recreation parks are popular. Many of the small parks that are much smallthe physical capacity to accommodate all types of activities.

Commercialisation here has led to tree cutting and reduction the green space to make room for ‘money making’ uses to increase the income and number of visitors. A typological categorization of parks depending on size, location and value for the urban ecosystem could help reversing this trend and increase the satisfaction of citizens and guests.

Another problem is the overabundance and concentration

Gorky Park, Sokolniki Park, Izmaylovsky Park, Park “Krasnaya Presnya”, Park “Kuzminki”, Garden Bauman, Art Park “Muzeon”, Moscow Hermitage Garden, Park “Tagan”, Park “Perovskiy”, Park “Lianozovskiy”, Park “Babushkinskiy”, Park “Northern Tushino”, Park “Fili”

ple come to park to have the possibility to be away from

The main tasks of Mosgorpark are:

the hustle and bustle of car loaded streets and noisy ur-

1. Develop plans of Parks of Culture and Leisure;

ban environments. They want to be alone with their own

2. Create new proposals for investment projects to implement them in Parks of Culture and Leisure in Moscow; 3. Create general concept of development for Parks of Culture and Leisure ; 4. Coordination, information and methodological and organizational support activities in Parks of Culture and Leisure; 5. Inform people about renewable infrastructure and activities in Parks of Culture and Leisure in Moscow As a first step Mosgopark is charged with priority measures such as cleaning and improving the system of paths in parks, installing lighting what should help to improve safety, placing benches and bins in the park.

A second task is to develop individual concepts for the development of the parks. Based on its structure, history, legends and visitor profile, the competitiveness should be improved and identity and brand be strengthened. The main indicators for success have been defined as growth of attendance, increase of entertainment features, profit growth and self-sufficiency of parks. While it is debatable whether these economically driven factors should be the only ones, they certainly lead to action and park regeneration plans for the biggest and most prominent parks of the city, namely Gorky Park and Park Sokolniki.

as well as the proliferation of functions in the larger parks.

This renders them often more like urban Disneylands than actual recreational parks. Our research shows that peo-

thoughts, enjoy nature, chat with friends or be with family.

SOKOLNIKI IN MOSCOW’S PARK SYSTEM: Sokolniki occupies an important role in Moscow’s park system since the beginning of the epoch of recreational parks.

Next to Gorky park it was and remains the most important recreation park in the city. This fact also was confirmed by our own research on Moscow parks. Unlike other parks that are spatially closed entities within the urban fabric, Sokolniki Park in many ways occupies and edge condition. It blurs into the much bigger landscape of Losiniy Ostrov. Its vegetation and direct connection to larger ecosystem creates a character that other Moscow parks do not have and cannot acquire in the future. Sokolniki Park is the urban gateway into the vastness of Russian landscapes.

5

1.1 The Moscow park system, the DNA of the Park

Concept of the territorial development for the Sokolniki Park

6

DNA of the Park

Parks often have a typical DNA Comparing parks internationally, especially when comparing big metropolises, one can state that each of the cities has its own park DNA that makes a London park feel and look different than a Paris, New York or Hong Kong Park. While all of these cities offer different types of parks, there seems to be a coherent pattern that brands them as belonging to a particular city. Often it is a city’s green spaces that are a fundamental part of the place’s identity.

1.1 The Moscow park system, the DNA of the Park

DNA of the Park

Concept of the territorial development for the Sokolniki Park

7

1.1 The Moscow park system, the DNA of the Park

DNA of the Park

Concept of the territorial development for the Sokolniki Park

8

1.1 The Moscow park system, the DNA of the Park

Concept of the territorial development for the Sokolniki Park

9

DNA of the Park Theme Park Gorky Park

City Garden

Landscape Park

Wilderness Park

Moscow Parks are always several parks in one

Izmaylovsky Park Silver Forrest Krylatsky Hills Park Fili

Analysing the important Moscow parks, the connecting DNA cannot so much be found in a single park type manifesting itself in numerous places but in several park types manifesting themselves in one place. Moscow parks are always several parks in one. They combine the themes lunar park with the relative emptiness and vastness of Russian landscapes; they combine English landscape park type situations with the highly maintained planting beds of the Paris parks.

Vorobyevy Hills This is a result of their history, often starting as gateways to aristocratic hunting grounds

Toporevsky Forest

then transformed into monumentally organized monuments of the communist societies leisure and celebration needs. After the end of the Soviet Union, the free market economy

Bittsevsky Park

left its marks, introducing commercial program that makes use of the intense footfall. New programs and agendas altered a previous identity and added new layers of meaning without replacing it entirely. While parks in other big cities are more singular, Moscow Parks have

Birulevsky Park

acquired an almost delirious mix of program, spaces and micro-identities. They are places of coexistence and not of dominance.

Tsaritsyno Park Kolomenskoye Park Kuzminsky Park Kuzkovo Park Timiryasevsky Park Ostankinsky Park Strong emphasis Moscow Botanical Garden

Medium emphasis Light emphasis

Sokolniki Park

No emphasis

1.2 Sokolniki park, Status quo

Concept of the territorial development for the Sokolniki Park

Sokolniki THE Moscow park

The identity of Sokolniki Park currently knows two conditions: over programming of the main entrance so that the Park appears as a commercial theme park and the rest – a forest with incidental, rather accidental program dotted in. The roads crossing the park cut it into several pieces that have little connection other than being under a roof of trees. While the entrance zone is highly maintained and some of the radial routes are also in a reasonable state, the other parts of the park seem neglected. In Sokolniki one still can find both – the buzzle of a dense urban setting and the calm that more than 50% of people asked in our own study defined as the main goal when going to a park.

The overall condition of Sokolniki Park is not matching the Park’s importance as – next to Gorky Park – one of the two most important urban parks of the city. Its present structure with only one important entrance and a general lack of formal access points does not provide for adequate usability, traffic, fences and a lack of routes away from the radials do not allow to experience the park as a coherent whole.

Over the course of time, Sokolniki Park has maintained a steady audience of visitors that value the park. However, in its current appearance and programming, the park runs the risk of losing visitor groups seeking the calm of the park and people not interested in the current commercial program.

1838

Sokolniki Park is the essential Moscow Park

•

The connection to Losiniy Ostrov

Sokolniki is the essential Moscow Park historically combining

•

The very good metro access

•

The established identity of the park as a family friendly

the elements of commercialized urban theme park, city garden, landscape and wilderness park. It is the most important

environment for all classes

recreational park in the city. Its natural character has always played an important part in its identity. Sokolniki Park is the

•

population but also internationally

gateway into the vastness of Russian landscape.

This identity is in danger, but has the potential to remain

The fact that the park is well known not only by the local

•

Important or memorisable events cultural events that took place here like the ‘kitchen debate’

the strength of Sokolniki Park With their partially commercial, partially recreational charac-

•

A large wilderness free of program

ter, Moscow Parks are competing against each other on several fields. To be successful in attracting visitors, it is important to know one’s own strengths, unique selling points and

The positioning we propose is based on these assets and

assets. Undoubtedly for Sokolniki Park one has to mention:

seeks to use them as instruments to strengthen and extend the brand identity of the place.

•

The historic radial structure with the straight routes leading straight into wilderness and circulars connecting to the urban flanks of the park

•

The overall size of the park and the dense forest vegetation

1910

The challenges for the park strategy: • To make full use of the park potential • To define unique identities and build on them

1952

1968

10

1.2 Sokolniki park, Status quo

Concept of the territorial development for the Sokolniki Park

Sokolniki today

The trends of unthoughtful commercialisation have result-

the image of a theme park, the latter are more reminiscent

ed in a loss of originality that used to characterize Moscow

of wilderness. Both conditions have their value but with the

parks in their history. The development of recent years has

current regime the both do not exploit their full potential.

led to a strong presence of business activities. But while for

pression of the limits of the park therefore are key challenges.

Currently the park has a limited audience - largely families. It misses out in attracting larger target groups and it currently

example Gorky Park always had a structure and role that

Entering Sokolniki Park today can either be a monumental,

is not able to capture a wider and more diverse group of us-

resembles more a public city garden that relatively easily is

programmed experience when coming from the Metro station

ers and customers. This is largely due to a limited program-

able to accommodate urban commercial programs with-

and wandering along the axis into the park or it can be an acci-

ming focusing on deďŹ ned events and not offering enough for

out suffering mayor damage, in Sokolniki Park this had a

dent, when coming from all other directions. Currently there is

everyday life and community activities.

much more compromising effect. Ultimately it lead to a

no clear deďŹ nition where the park starts and arriving from any

more and more similar programming and appearance and

place other than the main entrance at the south western cor-

a loss of uniqueness of a park that - in its complement-

ner can be difficult or impossible since in many places fences

ing character could be a big asset that few cities can offer.

or infrastructure block access. This is especially true for the

The current Sokolniki park can be characterized by the rather

communities to the north west and south east of the park that

unstructured coexistence of highly programmed zones and

barely proďŹ t from its existence since it is almost unreachable

zones of neglect and nothingness. While the former create

from there. Increasing physical accessibility and a better ex-

Heavy commercialization

Zone of neglect and nothingness

With the increased pressure to become economically viable, there is the real threat that quickly the majority of the area will be surrendered to individual economic activity, ultimately destroying the landscape character of Sokolniki Park.

Main access to the park

Side access

11

1.2 Sokolniki park, Status quo

Sokolniki today

Concept of the territorial development for the Sokolniki Park

12

1.3 Park in the City, demand of the Urban Dweller

Concept of the territorial development for the Sokolniki Park

Demand for the Park

13

Reasons of visiting the park, based on the sociological research of Moscow parks

People come to park to have the possibility to be away from the hustle and bustle of car loaded streets and noisy urban environments

PLACE FOR COMMUNICATION, ACTIVITIES, INTERRACTION

SOCIAL ROLE

GOOD PARK = NATURE IN THE CITY

1.3 Park in the City, demand of the Urban Dweller

Concept of the territorial development for the Sokolniki Park

Demand for the Park

in r e ell w d n a urb

ce n e ri e p ex r fo h rc sea

ure t a of n

14

2.

VISION - 4 PARKS , 40 FORESTS, 1 SOKOLNIKI

2.1 Concept

4 Parks Park typologies, operational models Sokolniki Park is not one park, it is several parks in one. Currently two types are dominating: the commercialized urban theme park and a kind of low maintenance natural landscape park.

But Sokolniki Park, with its size and structure has the potential to house even more park types under its unifying and all connecting ‘roof of tree crowns’. It can also develop an identity as a manicured city garden and a more open and less prescribed city park.

Sokolniki Park = four parks in one: A highly programmed theme park A manicured city garden A landscape park A wilderness park

All parks typologies are united under the unifying roof of the tree tops.

In this way the different identities make the park more attractive to wider audiences and allow for a more diverse programming and habitat. The coexisting identities uniďŹ ed by the forest make Sokolniki unique.

In this way Sokolniki celebrates its role as the urban gateway to the Russian landscape. Sokolniki Park is the urban retreat, the big forest that houses urban treasures within it.

Concept of the territorial development for the Sokolniki Park

16

2.1 Concept

4 Characters

Concept of the territorial development for the Sokolniki Park

17

2.1 Concept

40 Forests Landscape, Ecology and Identity Sokolniki park is commonly perceived as one forest. With a trees coverage of nearly 80% the park can be seen as one continuous woodland structured by the radial system of main paths and made accessible by some experience trails that cut through the forest and link together existing program and newly programmed spaces, in relation with the natural context.

But there is much more potential than that.

By keeping the existing canopy of trees untouched, acknowledged as the main natural (and cultural) quality of the park, just by working various forest understories settings, a great variety of forest typologies could be generated.

In such way Sokolniki identity will shift from one monotonous woodland to several diverse and surprising forests: the 40 forests of Sokolniki.

As a result the ecological potential will be dramatically increased by creating different forests that will generate different habitats for vegetation and wildlife. Biological diversity will be further diversiďŹ ed and protected and Sokolniki will become the ecological extention of Losinyy Ostrov into the city.

Concept of the territorial development for the Sokolniki Park

18

2.1 Concept

Concept of the territorial development for the Sokolniki Park

40 Forests Aspen

Amelanicher alnifolia

Pine

Rubus idaeus

Ribes divaricatum

Lathyrus

Maple

Carpinus caroliniana

Calluna vulgaris

Morus nigra

Setaria virdis

Oak

Athyrium ďŹ lix

Crataegus virdis

Carex grayi

Larch

Carpinus caroliniana

Juniperus communis

Fir

Fragaria vesca

Vaccinium gaultherioides Vaccinium oxycoccus

Ptilium crista-castrensis

Oxalis acetosella

Vaccinium myrtillus

Clintonia borealis

Elm

Vaccinium stamineum

Amorpha canescens

Epigaea repens

Birch

Viola adunca

Dryopteris intermedia

Morus rubra

Onoclea sensibilis

Crataegus monogyna

Viburnum acerifolium

Carpinus caroliniana

Parthenocissus quinq.

Ash

Carpinus caroliniana

Iris spp

Carpinus caroliniana

Carpinus caroliniana

Matteuccia struthiopteris

19

2.1 Concept

Concept of the territorial development for the Sokolniki Park

4 Parks, 40 Forests, 1 Sokolniki 4 Parks

1_Highly programmed theme parks

40 Forests

2_Manicured city garden

3_Landscape park

4_Wilderness park

+

1 Sokolniki

=

20

2.2 Masterplan

1 Sokolniki

Co C Con on o ncep ce ep e pt of of th he e ter te errrri rit iitto ori ri rial ria all dev de d ev e velo llo opm pme p me m ent nt fo ffor orr th o he So okolni oko olni niiki n ki Park Park Par

21

2.1 Concept

4 Parks, 40 Forests, 1 Sokolniki

Concept of the territorial development for the Sokolniki Park

22

Concept of the territorial development for the Sokolniki Park

3.

INTERNAL AND EXTERNAL INTEGRATION OF THE TERRITORY

23

3.1 Park territory integration in the external urban environment

Sokolniki part of the Yauza river connection

Sokolniki Park has a potential to be connected to wider Moscow green network, the Ostankino park and the Izmailovsky Park along the Yauza river corridor. We support the idea of creating the system of bicycle paths can strenghten this connection.

Concept of the territorial development for the Sokolniki Park

24

3.1 Park territory integration in the external urban environment

Concept of the territorial development for the Sokolniki Park

Ecological integration The natural context of Sokolniki CURRENT SITUATION: Sokolniki park is sitting in a location of crucial importance for the ecological dynamics of the whole Moscow.

Its context is characterised by two main features: the river Yauza and Losiny Ostrov National Park.

STRENGTH AND WEAKNESSES: One of the greatest natural and ecological feature of the area is where the river Yauza creates a swamp in the northern area of Losiny Ostrov: the ‘Upper Yauza Swamp’.

Losiny Ostrov is the first Russian national park and reaches outstanding biodiversity levels consisting in about 200 species of birds, 48 species of mammals, including rare species and 1,000 different species of plants. Biodiversity level in Sokolniki is much lower that its neighbour park and this mainly happens because Sokolniki is obviously more urbanised and because Rostokinskiy Proyezd road is a sharp barrier cutting out the park from Losiny Ostrov.

Measures to increase the ecological and biological potential are needed in order to have Sokolniki playing a major role in the ecological dynamics of Moscow: the transition between the natural reserve and the city.

The large amount of visitors also offer a unique opportunity to implement the education and research infrastructure in the field of ecology.

Upper Yauza Swamp

Yauza river

25

3.1 Park territory integration in the external urban environment

Concept of the territorial development for the Sokolniki Park

Public transport accessibility

CURRENT SITUATION: Sokolniki Park today is connected to the city by various public

train metro

transportation systems. tram While inhabitants of the surrounding areas use tram, bus or walk to the park. the most used public transport is the Metro

bus

that with its Sokolniki station directly connects with the main entrance.

The railway that goes along the west area of the park is mainly used by visitors coming from the outer periphery.

STRENGTH AND WEAKNESSES: Tram line number 4 partially crosses the park, and in its eastern part has a dedicated street with a beautiful, green, human-scale profile. Once the park will be unified and fragmentation solved, the tram can become a transportation system also used for moving inside the park area.

A bus line crosses Sokolniki through the ‘half circle’ Poperechnyy prosek, offering a great connectivity to the very core of the park. But in the same time, busses drive along the northeast section of the radial system weakening the main path structure as a pedestrian-cyclist continuous network.

The radial system in the west part of the the park directly connects to the rail station of Malenkovskaya and Moskva-3.

Nevertheless the physical and visual link between the the rays and the stations, in proximity of the station themselves, should be clarified and improved.

Eastern tram line street profile

Link between the radial system and Malenkovskaya Station

26

3.1 Park territory integration in the external urban environment

Concept of the territorial development for the Sokolniki Park

Site edges and surroundings districts

The edges of the park are hardly readable, except of the ur-

3- The industrial part of Alexeyevsky district is even less per-

ban edge in the south. The surrounding context is diverse

meable and perceivable because of the railway and the many

and can be summarised in 5 typologies.

industrial warehouses.

1- the edge with Losiny Ostrov National park has no crossings

4- the souther edge of the park has very high accessibility and

and faces a busy road.

a sharply deďŹ ned park-front.

2- the edge with the residential part of Alexeyevsky district

5- the industrial edge of Bogorodkyoye district is marked by

has limited permeability because of the railway infrastructure

a very busy motorway that makes the park inaccessible from

and has no park-front condition.

its north-east side.

27

3.1 Park territory integration in the external urban environment

Concept of the territorial development for the Sokolniki Park

Concept for external integration

Clearly defined edge between park and city

Pourous and higly connected

The sharp division between park and the city with a defined edge help the

The boundaries of the park are highly perforated and the park provides

perception of Sokolniki as one unique Park and foster the identification of

high and continuous connectivity between the city and the park

a new strong identity

28

3.2 Park territory connection to Losiny Island, Ostankino, Izmaylovo....

Concept of the territorial development for the Sokolniki Park

Ecological integration

Sokolniki Park has a potential to be connected to wider Moscow green network, the Ostankino park and the Izmailovsky Park along the Yauza river corridor. We support the idea of creating the system of bicycle paths can strenghten this con-

Link to Losiny Ostrov park ecological area

nection.

The physical connection between Sokolniki and Losiny Ostrov is guranteed by strainght forward connection. An ecological-research hub is the new gravity point that works as educational link.

29

3.3 Methods of territory integration within the park

Concept of the territorial development for the Sokolniki Park

Connective radial system

Sokolniki today, an unbalanced system Currently entering Sokolniki Park can either be a monumental experience when coming from the Metro station and wandering along the axis into the park or it can be an accident, when coming from all other directions. Currently there is no clear deďŹ nition where the park starts and arriving from any place other than the main entrance at the south western corner can be difficult or impossible since in many places fences or infrastructure block access.

This is especially true for the communities to the north west and south east of the park that barely proďŹ t from its existence since it is almost unreachable from there. Increasing physical accessibility and a better expression of the limits of the park therefore are key challenges.

Sokolniki tomorrow, a new balanced structure

30

3.3 Methods of territory integration within the park

Concept of the territorial development for the Sokolniki Park

Experience ows

From a hardly exploited and accessible forest...

...to a web of experience path through a higly accessible forest

The experience of the forest in Sokolniki today is pretty limited. Visitors mainly use the rays’ system to stroll or bike; usage of the forest is restricted to short accesses of about 100 meters.

This happens because there is a lack of a path system of intermediate importance betweem the rays and the dense web of informal trails through the forest.

CONNECTING LOOPS: total length: 21.000m

31

3.3 Methods of territory integration within the park

Concept of the territorial development for the Sokolniki Park

Mobility

Pedestrian-bike path system

Park transport network

bike path

Park electric b bus system

bike rental

Tram

bike path (connecting to the surroundings)

Bus

pedestrian path large pedestrian area

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3.4 Distribution of ows of the main groups

Concept of the territorial development for the Sokolniki Park

Flows

Concentration areas

Distribution ows

The main concentration areas are the 3 main plazas that works as accesses

The main distribution ows are concentrated along the 3 main radials.

from the city to the park and main gathering points. A series of food/drink

Second in hierarchy are the experience-driven paths that cut through the

outlets and kiosks along the main triangular structure are also points of

forest and the radials which are not part of the main triangular structure.

high concentration. In a secondary level the whole system of landscape feature will attract a number people in the forest.

33

3.5 Free movement of visitors with limited mobility

Concept of the territorial development for the Sokolniki Park

Strategy for visitors with limited mobility

The there main radials and and plazas have to be highly maintained (no leaves and snow-free in winter). Abundance of sitting elements and disable accessible toilets. Shared transport assistance runs from plaza to plaza. Tactile paving along the main radials. Easy connection to public transport.

Secondary radials are paved and need medium level of maintenance, abundance of sitting elements.

Dedicated forests trails are paved with hard materials for people with limited mobility and wheelchairs, abundance of sitting elements. Connection to public transport and parking lot.

Easy-accessible playgrounds equipped for disabled.

Equipped playgrounds

Tactile pavements

Accessible furnitures

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3.6 Mechanisms for the third party land users territory intergration

Concept of the territorial development for the Sokolniki Park

Guidelines for integration

Remove fences or use landscape features as hedges or ditches

Remove or reuse derelict structures

Remove or reuse derelict structures

Plant open spaces with trees to Use part of the land for public functions

integrate them with the forest

35

3.7 Park attendance forecast, main entrances and parking spaces

Concept of the territorial development for the Sokolniki Park

Main entry elements and parking spaces

Entry elements

Car acessibility, Parkings, service access

The main historical gate at the Southern entrance should be maintained.

Parkings lots in former industrial areas.

The other entrances should be rebuilt following a comprehensive design language that Traffic transforms them into clear iconic gates and spacial references for users.

34.000sqm - 1300 parking spaces 18.000sqm - 720 parking spaces 35.000sqm - 1400 parking spaces Service access Car parking on-grade crossing

on-grade crossing underpass

yover underpass

yover

historical gate

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3.7 Park attendance forecast, main entrances and parking spaces

Concept of the territorial development for the Sokolniki Park

37

Park Capacity Maximum number of people avg. duration of stay per usability of zone per day not to be overcrowded person

We have analysed the visitors capacity of the park from several possible angles:

Park Zone Area m2

the physical area capacity transport network capacity event and activities

people / m2

Plazas Main radials Attraction points Streets Forest Maximum capacity per day

hours

449,000 127,000 374,000 306,000 4,030,000

hours

0.2 0.1 0.01 0.005 0.0005

4 2 4 0.5 1

Theoretical maximum capacity per year Assuption: only on one day a week the park is full, during the week only 5 % attendance

tripling the current attendance without major harm to the

Transport Capacity avg per hour

per day (10 hours)

passengers

Metro Tram Car Bus Maximum vehicular transport capacity

passengers

1 line 5 lines, 300 ppl per train, every 15 min 3.400 spaces, turnaround every 4 hours 10 lines, 40 ppl per bus, every 15 min.

40,000 6,000 3,400 1,600

Theoretical maximum capacity per year Assuption: only on one day a week the park is full, during the week only 5 % attendance

Programmatic element

Total visitors paying

Kids

Teenage Young Mid rs professio agers nal

Families Elderly

PERMANENT COMMERCIAL PROGRAM

1.300.000

-

100%

100%

100%

100%

100%

100%

ONE DAY EVENTS

4.300.000

-

55%

60%

70%

80%

75%

65%

MULTI DAY EVENTS

5.400.000

25%

35%

90%

65%

45%

50%

-

SINGULAR ACTIVITIES

-

500.000

40%

80%

75%

50%

40%

50%

REPEATING ACTIVITIES

-

1.200.000

35%

45%

75%

65%

15%

40%

RECREATION

-

2.700.000

100%

100%

100%

100%

100%

100%

Visitors expected Total

11.000.000

4.400.000 15.400.000

numbers are based on experience from other programmed parks in the world

400,000 60,000 34,000 16,000 510,000 183,600,000 34,501,500

Target groups non paying

persons per day

12 12 10 10 8

269,400 76,200 9,350 30,600 16,120 401,670 144,601,200 27,172,976

the overall conclusion is that the size of the Park allows for

nature.

capacity

Concept of the territorial development for the Sokolniki Park

4.

INCREASING HOMOGENEITY OF THE PARK TERRITORY USE

38

4.1 Functional zoning of the park

39

4 Parks 4 Parks

Maintenance levels

A highly programmed theme park

Maintenance under special regime (see p.52)

A manicured city garden

Medium maintenance level

A landscape park

Low maintenance level

A wilderness park

Hight maintenance level

Sokolniki Park is divided in 4 Functional zoning:

THEMED EVENT PARK ZONES

CITY GARDEN ZONES

CITY PARK ZONES

The themed event park zones

Themed event park zones at the existing and newly proposed

The city garden zones are located around the main radials

The city park zones can be found in the center of the park and

The city garden zones

entrances are areas where commercial events are concen-

connecting the entrance plazas. Higher maintenance of the

areas further away from the green boulevard’s city garden

The city park zones

trated. They provide the entire infrastructure necessary to

park takes place here which allows for a more manicured ap-

zones. Here the landscape is very natural but in the forest of

The landscape park zones

hold events and they are spatially deďŹ ned in a way that limits

pearance and the allocation of smaller commercial activities,

Sokolniki Park clearings have been established that can serve as

proliferation of large commercial program and events in the

especially small food and drink outlets and programmed but

spaces for non-commercial cultural and community activities.

park.

more permanent activities.

Each of these zones has a different degree of activity and event.

LANDSCAPE PARK ZONES In these zones the park presents itself in a very original, natural way.

4.2 Measures and solutions to increase the homogeneity of using the territory of the park

Concept of the territorial development for the Sokolniki Park

The entrances as themed event park zones The main entrances are the most active centres of Sokolniki Park – themed event park zones around three functional plazas: Fountain Plaza, the historic, but currently only focal point of the park; Health and Sport Plaza in the North-West with entrance from the train stations; Forest Plaza in the NorthEast with the focus on “Nature in the City” Currently the one single main entrance of the park somehow is overloaded. Both spatially and programmatically it does not convey a strong image and brand, the park wants to convey.

In a part that is due to the fact that many different events from many different fields of activity take place in Sokolniki Park. Attracting larger audiences, they are rightly located close to the entrance but the sheer amount of activities and the way they are currently arranged destroys the other quality of the park – the landscape nature.

One of the key goals is to increase accessibility of Sokolniki Park at other locations. This also offers the possibility to create more formal entrances and to shift some of the activities to other places.

Each entrance zone could develop its own programmatic focus.

This would allow for a better branding and – with a families of events – a more targeted environment that furthermore would al-

low for the extension of the scope of events.

The

existing

buildings culture.

and This

entrance

area

spaces

could

would

make

with

its

focus use

of

already

on

established

amusement

established

use

and pat-

terns and make best use of the historic structures here.

Forest plaza

A new entrance area in the north west could be themed around Health and Sports. Next to existing equestrian facilities and a clinic, new sports activities and sport related events could find their place there.

In the north eastern corner, a new formal entrance would focus on Research and Education. Here – and with the close proximity to Losiniy Ostrov – the educational program of the park for schools but also science related activities could find their home.

Next to these special activities, all entrance plazas will offer infrastructure for daily activities and community use of the park.

Forest Plaza

Health and Education Plaza

Fountain Plaza

Health and Sport plaza

Fountain plaza

40

Concept of the territorial development for the Sokolniki Park

41

Concept of the territorial development for the Sokolniki Park

42

Concept of the territorial development for the Sokolniki Park

43

4.2 Measures and solutions to increase the homogeneity of using the territory of the park

Concept of the territorial development for the Sokolniki Park

The main radials as city garden zones

The main radials in the park currently already have a char-

A triangle of main radials connects

acter of green boulevards. With the connection of the two

the three plazas and forms the

new entrance plazas, a new green boulevard will be added.

Around the boulevards, zones of higher maintenance of the

backbone of the park. Most people

landscape will be located. Lit and paths cleared of snow in

will move along them so that the

winter, these areas, Sokolniki will have more of a character

park character equals a city garden

Kiosk Food & Drinks

of a garden with intense planting under the tree top roof and small and park related, yet formalized commercial program

with more commercial activity,

such as kiosks or garden cafes. Also more permanent pro-

the main playgrounds and higher

gram that needs some baseline infrastructure will be located

maintenance.

here such as small sports ďŹ elds and playgrounds will be loToilets

cated here.

On these radials the inner park transport will be located. Next to cycling routes, electric powered slow running small buses will operate here, connecting the entrance plazas.

Food & Drinks South -Northwest Radial East-West radial

South -Northeast Radial

Kiosk Playground

Food & Drinks

Food & Drinks Playground Kiosk

Toilets

44

4.2 Measures and solutions to increase the homogeneity of using the territory of the park

The main radials as city garden zones

Concept of the territorial development for the Sokolniki Park

45

46

The central areas as city park zones

Areas further away from the entrances and green boulevards develop a more natural character. Here the degree of man-

Areas

further

away

from

the Sculpture garden

entrances and green boulevards

made character is smaller and the overall landscape setting requires less maintenance. Maintenance focuses on a new

develop a more natural character.

path system for walking and cycling that is crisscrossing the

Maintenance focuses on a new

park outside the radials and circulars makes this areas expe-

path system for walking and cycling

riencable and usable and re- or newly established clearings in the forest that form rooms of human activity in the green.

that is crisscrossing the park outside

These spaces are especially suitable for program where peo-

the radials and plazas to experience

ple get in touch with nature in a special way. A number of wil-

Sokolniki as a forest.

Lilac garden

derness playgrounds, green labyrinth, Green hill, a little lake or a small campground‌ . All interventions in these clearings are of temporary nature and can be removed or replaced in line with an overall programming strategy and schedule for

Pond

these places.

Sculpture park and Lilac garden Orchard

Stage pond and hill

Pond

Orchard

Sport facilities

4.2 Measures and solutions to increase the homogeneity of using the territory of the park

Landscape feature “Sculpture garden�

Concept of the territorial development for the Sokolniki Park

47

4.2 Measures and solutions to increase the homogeneity of using the territory of the park

Landscape feature “Stage pond�

Concept of the territorial development for the Sokolniki Park

48

4.2 Measures and solutions to increase the homogeneity of using the territory of the park

Concept of the territorial development for the Sokolniki Park

The more remote areas as landscape park zones

The more remote areas of the park – further away from the

The more remote areas of the park

green boulevards and programmed rooms in the forest are

– further away from the green

accessible by the same path system, but here maintenance and human impact is kept to a minimum.

boulevards

and

programmed

Here only litter removal and keeping natural paths clear of

rooms in the forest are accessible

plants as well as ecologically necessary forest clearing and

by the same path system, but here

animal feeding or is carried out. Low key infrastructure like

maintenance and human impact is

Landscape&gardens loop

Art loop

bins and benches in selected places allow this natural environment and do not contain any programmed activity.

kept to a minimum.

Landscape&gardens loop

Horse riding, cross-country ski loops

Forest in the Eastern area Forest in the Western area

Forest in the Southern area

Mountain-bike, horse riding, cross-country ski, landscape&gardens loops

Art and horse riding loop Horse riding loop

Playground loop

Adventure trail loop

49

4.2 Measures and solutions to increase the homogeneity of using the territory of the park

The more remote areas as landscape park zones: forests

Concept of the territorial development for the Sokolniki Park

50

4.3 Park navigation and informing system

Concept of the territorial development for the Sokolniki Park

Park navigation system

Navigation in the park and communication of activities and

At the main entrances manned info centers inform of the

events taking place need to accommodate the nature of the

day’s activities. Staff here answers speciďŹ c questions concer-

park as a programmed, dynamic landscape environment.

ing events, routes and services for people with special needs.

Therefore, next to baseline orientation, a dynamic signage

Daily printed maps can be obtained here, showing locations

system needs to guide visitors. When developing the system,

of activities and how to get there.

special care has to be invested in achieving a system that can be used by the target groups of all ages and people with limitations.

An app for the key mobile operation systems and a website allow for online information of the park and its activities. Here

A HYBRID SYSTEM

people can pre book activities, plan their trip or check trip

To provide adequate orientation to all groups, we propose a

related information and commercial activities can promote

hybrid system that combines analogous signage and maps

themselves. GPS capabilities of smart phones allow people to

with the possibility software solutions can offer.

locate themselves in the park so that an interactive map and

The analogue system consists of baseline signage that identiďŹ es the key destinations in the park, namely entrances, big building structures and service facilities. Next to these temporary signs highlight the routes to special events. Maps of the park are spread around the park and can be found at all entrances.

navigation can be established.

Pavement markings

Sokolniki app

51

4.3 Park navigation and informing system

Concept of the territorial development for the Sokolniki Park

Park informing system

Science Plaza

Website and social networks A well organised website, easily navigable, is of vital importance. The webpage should show daily activities as well as having an updated agenda with the forthcoming events. Thematic maps organised by seasons, age groups, recreational activities, facilities for people with limited mobility should be available and printable.

Online and offline forum for interested individuals to get engaged. This forum can serve as a meeting place and to ďŹ nd like-minded individuals with the goal to form new associations or merge initiatives that have similar ideas.

Website should also have the possibility for users to economically support the park by pledging different initiatives or do-

Sport Plaza

nation for promoting cultural and educational activities.

Social network of the park are already in use. It is crucial that social network channels and website are synchronised in terms for news updates, and make a broad use of links in order to have a dynamic and solid information system.

Tables Usually in parks the main informing system consist of vertical panels with map spread around the park site. Even if very readable they do bring some problems. In-fact, because of their weak material they are often target of vandalism; furthermore panels can create hidden pocket spaces that reduce visibility and lead to users misconduct.

We propose to integrate those informations into table-furnitures in order to be widely visible and be embedded in the park, rather than extra elements that could effect the overall aesthetic value of the park.

Activities today Run2day Sport plaza Bird watching Science plaza Constructing kids Lawn room ... ...

Info Center

52

Concept of the territorial development for the Sokolniki Park

5.

UNIVERSAL NATURE OF THE PARK

53

5.1 Proposals for the developmemt of the park infrastructure

Concept of the territorial development for the Sokolniki Park

Park infrastructure - existing and new Existing

Radial path structure

New

Landscape features

Secondary path

Buildings

54

5.1 Proposals for the developmemt of the park infrastructure

Concept of the territorial development for the Sokolniki Park

Stronger hierarchy for the radial park structure

The historic radial system become a new meaning through the constellation of three plazas, a focus on main radials and a clearer hierarchy of radial proďŹ les.

1. Main radial paths

2. Secondary radial path

Sport equppment rental

Toilets

Visitor center

Showers

Kiosks

Info point

Cafes Eat and drink outlets

3. Greenways

55

5.1 Proposals for the developmemt of the park infrastructure

Concept of the territorial development for the Sokolniki Park

Three multifunctional plazas

Conference center

Forest Plaza Activities in the future Sokolniki

surface area 30.000sqm

reach deeper into the park with the

build program: 25.000 sqm (7000sq footprint)

Management offices

Forest center

Research center

development of now three thematic plazas at the main entrances.

Ornitary

Guest house

Fountain plaza

Health and Sport Plaza Rehabilitation center

surface area: 54.000sqm

surface area 30.000sqm Sport and recreation center

(paved: 24.000, green surfaces: 30.000sqm)

Chess club Spa

Pet therapy Fitness center Health resort cottage

Krasnodar house Ice skate rink Indoor games

Food & Drinks

Dancing stage

Food & Drinks Central stage

Food & Drinks Museum

Inno park Food & Drinks

Restaurantss Food & Drinks

Visitor center

Shooting range Rotonda stage Community center

56

5.1 Proposals for the developmemt of the park infrastructure

Concept of the territorial development for the Sokolniki Park

Landscape features 1. Labyrinth 9000sqm

2. Camping 17.000sqm

3. Orchard

4. Lawn

14.000sqm

8500sqm

In the central area of Sokolniki Park new landscape features strengthen its character as city park, where visitors can experience the beauty of “Nature in the City”.

NEW LANDSCAPE FEATURES: 1. Labirinth, 2. Camping, 3. Orchard, 4. Lawn, 5.

Sculpture garden, 6. Hill

EXISTING LANDSCAPE FEATURES: a. Big Pond, b. Pond, c. Rose garden, d. Lilac garden, e. Symphonic stage, f. Rose garden, g. Pond, h. Central stage, i. Dance floor, j. Amusement center, k. Green theater

b. Pond - Water stages 20.000sqm (water surface: 8.000sqm, lawn: 12.000sqm)

5. Sculpture garden 17.000sqm

6. Hill 12.000sqm (68.000cubic meters)

57

5.2 Proposals for events and activities

Concept of the territorial development for the Sokolniki Park

Proposals for scheduled and newsworthy events See Chapter 6.4

58

5.3 Biodiversity scheme

Concept of the territorial development for the Sokolniki Park

The 40 Forests of Sokolniki

40 forests

Maintenance levels

Sokolniki park is commonly perceived as one forest.

knowledged as the main natural (and cultural) quality of the

With a trees coverage of nearly 90% the park can be

park, just by working various understory settings, a great va-

seen as one continuous woodland structured by the ra-

riety of forest typologies could be generated.

dial system of main paths and made accessible by some experience trails that cut through the forest and link together existing program and newly programmed spaces,

No maintenance

In such way Sokolniki identity will shift from one monotonous woodland to several diverse and surprising forests: the 50 forests of Sokolniki.

in relation with the natural context.

These different typologies are generated from a matrix that But there is much more potential than that.

By keeping the existing canopy of trees untouched, ac-

intersects different maintenance levels within different soil conditions (from wet to dry).

Low maintenance

KEEP the TREES LAYER AS IT IS

WORK A VARIETY OF UNDERSTORY

High maintenance

59

5.3 Biodiversity scheme

Concept of the territorial development for the Sokolniki Park

Park’s natural landscape - current situation

Sokolniki as perceived today looks like one unique forest. In the original plan the

a great potential of diversification can be found. Topography, in-fact, is pretty evident

Elm-d dominated

main structure of the rays was defined by the use of different species of trees that

and clearly defines a gradient from wet areas to more dry areas. This difference is

Larch h-dominated

Ash-d dominated

gave a strong and different identity to each ray. But in the other hand the predomi-

reflected in the planting dominance, that within a major extension of birch trees,

Birch h-dominated

Fir-do ominated

nance of birch trees in the woodland itself gives a sharp impression of a monocultur-

shows gathering of low-PH (acid) plant species in the drier areas and wetland grass-

Pine--dominated

Grassses

al forest with a low ecological value. By having a closer look to the natural condition

es-trees in the lower areas of the park.

Popla ar and aspen-dominated

Oak-dominated

Maple e-dominated

Tree lines

Vegetation communities

Topography

60

5.3 Biodiversity scheme

Concept of the territorial development for the Sokolniki Park

Park’s natural landscape - evolved patterns Landscape patterns

Dry landscape

Maintenance levels Low maintenance level Medium maintenance level Hight maintenance level

Wet landscape

61

5.3 Biodiversity scheme

Concept of the territorial development for the Sokolniki Park

Ecology vision Ecosystem services of a forest

40 Forests of Sokolniky: the ecological power of forest understory

FOOD WOOD EDUCATION

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT

ECONOMICAL SOCIAL

FLOODING CONTROL

RECREATION RECREATION SPORT

FOREST

POLLINATION

ECOLOGICAL

CLEAN AIR

HABITAT

BIODIVERSITY

Forests produce a wide range of ecosystem services that can be organized in 3 different groups: ecological, social, economical. A monocultural forest can only produce a small range of services; the various the forest the wider is its ecological, social and economical potential. By stressing the variety of forest

Sokolniki is more than just continuous woodland structured by a radial system of paths. The variety of trees, the vegetation communities and the interesting

types to the extreme, ‘50 forests of Sokolniki’ creates a great ammount of scenarios where people could

topography of the park, combined with maintenance strategies for the forest

enjoy the forest in several different ways, the ecosystem diversity and habitat production is dramatically

understory create a rich experience of many different forests in the middle of

increase and the forest can sustainably become a source of income. The forest as such is obviously already existing, the target of the proposal is to focus on different treatment of understory, fundamental part of a healthy forest ecosystem.

the city.

62

5.3 Biodiversity scheme

Forest(s)

Concept of the territorial development for the Sokolniki Park

63

5.3 Biodiversity scheme

Ecology vision

Concept of the territorial development for the Sokolniki Park

64

5.3 Biodiversity scheme

Ecology vision

Concept of the territorial development for the Sokolniki Park

65

5.3 Biodiversity scheme

Concept of the territorial development for the Sokolniki Park

Planting - Trees and understory Aspen

Pine

Fir

Maple

Oak

Elm

Larch

Birch

Ash

66

5.3 Biodiversity scheme

Concept of the territorial development for the Sokolniki Park

The 40 Forests of Sokolniki = Trees + Understory Aspen

Amelanicher alnifolia

Pine

Rubus idaeus

Ribes divaricatum

Lathyrus

Maple

Carpinus caroliniana

Calluna vulgaris

Morus nigra

Setaria virdis

Oak

Athyrium ďŹ lix

Crataegus virdis

Carex grayi

Larch

Carpinus caroliniana

Juniperus communis

Fir

Fragaria vesca

Vaccinium gaultherioides Vaccinium oxycoccus

Ptilium crista-castrensis

Oxalis acetosella

Vaccinium myrtillus

Clintonia borealis

Elm

Vaccinium stamineum

Amorpha canescens

Epigaea repens

Birch

Viola adunca

Dryopteris intermedia

Morus rubra

Onoclea sensibilis

Crataegus monogyna

Viburnum acerifolium

Carpinus caroliniana

Parthenocissus quinq.

Ash

Carpinus caroliniana

Iris spp

Carpinus caroliniana

Carpinus caroliniana

Matteuccia struthiopteris

67

5.4 Proposals for disabled visitors

Concept of the territorial development for the Sokolniki Park

Proposals for disabled visitors See Chapter 4.5

68

5.5 Involvement of local public associations and communities

Concept of the territorial development for the Sokolniki Park

Local public associations and communities involvement

OBJECTIVE

GOAL

INVOLVEMENT PROGRAMS

Involving local associations and communities in further de-

The goal for involving the local community and associations

1. Programming

2. Participation in activities and events

veloping the park is important because of a series of reasons:

should not only be to attract them as users, but also as ac-

Involving the local community in programming the park best

To involve the local community as a user of the park, they

works, when individuals are organized in associations with a

need to know about what is going on in the park and where

leadership. Relevant groups can be involved relatively easily

they can participate.

• As most regular group of users, the local community has a big impact on level of activity and acceptance of the the park. A high level of acceptance and use by the local community will render a more active image which in turn will make a larger groups of people valuing the park. A highly valued environment usually is better taken care of, better maintained and less burdened by vandalism and inappropriate use.

• The local community and associations are a source of programming that – due to its community initiative character typically is cheaper since it involves more non paid, voluntary activities • In its hybrid structure covering a range of park types, there is always a threat that commercial considerations prevail. Therefore active involvement of local communities is important to keep a balance between commercial and non-commercial activities.

• Involvement in the park development will increase the understanding that a balance between commercial, community and other activities is necessary. With the local community actively involved ‘Nimbyism’ will be reduced.

• To secure long term success of the park and for Sokolniki Park to alter its image, it is important to develop use and activity routines. Routine requires repetition – programmatically but also in terms of users. The local community is the biggest source of users for this kind of activities since it is them that have the biggest interest and the most direct involvement in achieving them.

tive programmers of the park. The processes to achieve that therefore need to target two audiences: those who are willing to contribute to the program and those who are interested in using the park more intensively. Both need different process-

in the general programming process as proposed in the programming section below. Individuals are harder to integrate.

es and structures and levels of organisation.

There could be special information channels for the local population, e.g. a special section on the website – maybe

Here the park management should take action and create an

even with a special membership in the “Friends of Sokolni-

online and offline forum for interested individuals to get en-

ki Club” and there could be special events and activities that

gaged. This forum can serve as a meeting place and to find

specifically address the local community. Activities for elderly

like-minded individuals with the goal to form new associa-

people living here, activities for school classes and kindergar-

tions or merge initiatives that have similar ideas.

tens and activities for families.

One could also think of making the park a place where the local community gets the possibility to manifest itself – for example in hosting the annual city quarter festival.

69

5.6 Right to play

Concept of the territorial development for the Sokolniki Park

Natural and protected play

The forest itself as valuable play area

Six principles for protected play areas

Playing is a non-negotiable right for kids, and in our proposal

A number of playgrounds are scattered around the three

we widely considered entertainment for the younger ones.

main axes connecting the three main entrance plazas; our

First of all, we consider the different forest typologies we

right to play approach is based on 6 main principles.

are proposing, a continuos playscape. The experience

3

with a special care for the younger children that require spacial protection and clear visibility for the parents supervision.

4

and educational power of playing in the forest is of main importance for urban kids that have scarce accessibility to

Playgrounds should be oriented to different age groups

The ‘Right to play’

has to be guaranteed for children

with limited mobility: specific playing elements and full 1

Playgrounds should be provided in a number and

accessibility should be assured.

dimension adequate to the large amount of users that will

natural landscape.

daily visit the park.

5

All playgrounds should be designed integrating an area for parents to relax and have clear overview over the play

2

Playground should reflect different playing scenarios in

area. Parents-areas should be also equipped for people

order to proved a full-round playing experience. Therefore

with disabilities.

conventional playground should be integrated with sport oriented once and adventure playgrounds that profit of the natural setting of Sokolniki.

6

It is strongly suggested that each playground is managed by a play-leader that could organise games and supervise activities.

Protected playgrounds fo the younger ones

Natural playgrounds in the forest

70

Concept of the territorial development for the Sokolniki Park

6.

PROGRAMMING OF THE PARK

71

6.1 Identity of Sokolniki Park

Concept of the territorial development for the Sokolniki Park

4 parks, 40 forests, 1 Sokolniki

Sokolniki today: 1 park and 1 forest

Sokolniki tomorrow: 4 parks under 40 forests

72

6.2 Positioning of Sokolniki Park

Concept of the territorial development for the Sokolniki Park

New profile develops the historic DNA

Structural changes essential for new profile

Programmatic profile on three levels

ACTIVITIES

In the past the different overlays did not alter the overall struc-

Rather than standing for everything – and ultimately nothing,

The daily routine is formed by activities with a different

ture and therefore did not achieve profound improvement

we propose to strengthen the identity in three four ways: a

character. Activities are more community driven. Often they

of the overall deficits of the park. The new concept seeks to

regular cycle of events creating public attention, a daily rou-

overcome this and provide solutions that are more strong-

tine of activities and baseline commercial offer and recre-

ly relating to the found condition while sensitively providing

ation without any specific program. Positioning the park by

new elements to the mix.

means of events and activities will require the collaboration

community groups or spontaneous activities undertaken by

With the two new entrance plazas, an increased amount

of the park management with other parties interested in or-

groups of individuals. The park facilitates those activities in

of commercially usable area will be provided. Their clear

ganizing program. Ideally a balance between self-developed

providing low threshold infrastructure for them to actually

boundaries help containing these activities to places where

and branded events that are conceptualized by the park but

happen. Some of these activities will use the already estab-

they have a minimum impact on the parks ecosystem and

can be executed by contracted parties , organized by the park

lished infrastructure of the park and others will greatly profit

help protecting the somewhat calmer areas of the park.

management, inter-park events organized by Mosgorpark

The existing radial routing system will be fully kept, renovated

and activities and events of third parties is achieved. In that

and – where necessary upgraded. A newly introduced circu-

way the park management can keep building the brand while

lar route connects the new entrances and helps linking the

still having the possibility to capture economic, cultural or so-

park to the surrounding urban areas.

cial opportunities and initiatives that come from outside.

The regime of maintenance and programming stimulates coexistence of different park identities without allowing one of

are initiated by individuals not related to the park management. Think of club sports activities, joint activities of specific

for the newly proposed path and open space system.

BASELINE COMMERCIAL OFFER

The park currently features a permanent commercial proEVENTS

gram, largely restaurants and cafes and hire for park related

Events are one of moments that do not repeat throughout a

means of transport. This offer stays and gets extended into the

about.

year. Events have a clear focus, a specific target audience and

new plaza areas and along the green boulevard connecting

In a changing and increasingly complex society, parks also

only last a limited amount of time. They are specially market-

them. New commercial offers that relate to the plazas overall

start playing a role beyond their actual use. They play an in-

ed and in most cases have a strong commercial component.

programming can be added. All baseline commercial activity

creasingly integral role in achieving social and environmental

Events attract a large group of people that they are able to at-

is on short to medium term leases and housed in temporary

goals. Among others are:

tract for a limited amount of time. Events typically have spe-

structures that are either provided by the park management

cific and relatively high requirements with respect to infra-

or – ideally – established by the leaseholder himself.

them to prevail over the other, ultimately strengthening what the DNA of Moscow Parks and Sokolniki Park in particular are

•

Increase in health of urban populations and reduction of obesity

•

Use of the environment for the improvement of air and

structure, crowd flow and access. The types of events taking

water quality

place in the park are related to three headings: amusement

All three four elements need to play together and have to be

An more integral role in cities water management and

and culture, health and sports and research and education.

given the right spatial expression. The concept of the four

retention

While the first continues the traditional use pattern, the two

parks, the related maintenance regime and the attribution

•

Increase of social cohesion

other ones are new and relate to contemporary lifestyle de-

of events, activities and recreation to the different park types

•

Achieving these goals requires

mands of urban populations. Defining events and executing

within Sokolniki Park lead to a rich, yet clear profile that differ-

•

clear protection and operation regimes for the natural

them can be done by both, the park management and com-

entiates it from other parks in Moscow and the world.

•

environment •

more environmentally conscious design for the interven-

mercial entities. Where possible commercial entities should

tions in parks

be preferred since they are better able to provide efficient

•

better accessibility for local users

quality solutions. By means of tender procedures, the park

•

landscapes that trigger activity and social interaction.

management can find the optimum price points for external

Currently Sokolniki Park does not perform overly well in these

commercial parties to sign up for organizing and executing

fields. Adjustments to the current layout and modes of use

events on behalf of the park management.

could significantly improve its role in achieving these goals.

73

Concept of the territorial development for the Sokolniki Park

Theme Park

City Garden

Landscape Park

Wilderness Park

Visitor density high

low

Program density 100 % event

100 % activity

Maintenance level high

low

Correlation between type of the park and planned activity

74

6.3 Criterias for the selection of events and activities

Criteria Impact on the physical environment of the park

Concept of the territorial development for the Sokolniki Park

Rules In addition to these consideration a number of rules should apply that secure the medium and long term usability and possibility to re-program park areas:

Spatial demand of the event or activity Impact on ecosystems of the park Impact on the usability of other areas of the park Removability of infrastructure needed to hold the event or activity Impact on access systems Expected number of visitors and sufficiency of available access and parking capacity Risks of overcrowding and limitations of crowd flow management Impact on the surrounding areas and local communities

All structures should be temporary and removable, independent from the duration of an event or activity Leases for permanent commercial program already in the park should not be extended or only running for short periodsshould be short or medium term (1 – 10 years) and include provision of the temporary building, operation and maintenance of the structure and surrounding outdoor areas functionally relating to it.

Program elements not fitting the three clusters defined should gradually be phased out and be replaced by new program fitting in a better way No large scale events and commercial activities should be permitted outside the three entrance plazas

Noise and light pollution Risk of negative impact on surrounding neighbourhoods (parking, littering…)

Reduction of usability of the park for local communities

There should be a set of park rules that define the degree of private events and activities permitted in the park (e.g. private BBQ, children’s birthdays…) together with a behavioural code that ensures people’s well being and the inclusive and recreational nature of the park are not compromised.

General suitability Fitting the season Security and public safety considerations Not discriminating Usable for people with limitations and disabilities

Scheduling To be attractive to a wide audience, it is important to arrive at a schedule that considers the use patterns of the different target groups, whether they are local residents or coming from elsewhere.

The annual program should achieve the following objectives.

An event should not last too long to keep a cycle of new things happening For commercial events: Financial risks and soundness of the business case For community activities: Thoroughness and probability of attracting the desired target group

Events all year round and responding to the seasons, public holidays, commemoration days.

Different events in the park should always attract different target groups (e.g. one event for families and one for teenagers that then mingle outside event zones)

Programmatic suitability Suitability for one of the three proposed program focus clusters Fitting a mix of commercial, cultural and community program Addressing target groups that fit the overall target group mix Links to history of the park, traditions or forward looking and new ideas Targeting several purposes (e.g. education and entertainment, sport and culture, research and health…)

Activities all year round. Being more community driven, activities do not necessarily need to follow the seasons so strictly (e.g. the running club can have his run all year round) There should be a mix of longer and shorter lasting events (e.g. a 4 week Christmas market but a one evening concert)

75

6.4 Proposed events and activities in the park

Concept of the territorial development for the Sokolniki Park

Proposed redistribution of program

Large-scale built and open air program , event spaces at the 3 main entrance plazas

Small permanent commercial activities along the main rays: small food and drink outlets

Landscape oriented open-air new and existing program

Linear program: different loops of experience and recreation

76

6.4 Proposed events and activities in the park

Concept of the territorial development for the Sokolniki Park

Existing built program

Existing program to be kept 1_children rehabilitation and hospital* 2_horse staples and riding school* 3_sport center 4_children creative/ education center 5_football/swimming pool 6_green theater 7_rose garden 8_central stage 9_amusement area 10_sokolniki arena* 11_Krasnodar house 12_small rose garden 13_synphonic stage 14_lilac garden 15_restaurants 16_dancing stage 17_horse staples and riding school* 18_tennis club* 19_church* 20_sport club* 21_tennis club* 22_football training facilities* 23_military hospital*

Existing program to be refurbish 24_dog training facilities 25_summer cottage 26_clinic 27_pavillion 28_rotonda stage 29_summer cottage* 30_green houses/research center 31_exhibition center 32_summer cottage 33_private school* 34_summer house* 35_grotta

Existing program relocated 36_industrial area 37_industrial area 38_industrial/office area 39_industrial area 40_military area 41_industrial area

Existing program removed 42_elk island national park offices 43_playground 44_emerald city 45_restaurant46_ornitary 47_billiard house 48_berezki stage 49_sport facilities 50_rehabilitation center 51_sport and recreation center 52_skate park 53_chess club 54_health resort

77

6.4 Proposed events and activities in the park

Concept of the territorial development for the Sokolniki Park

Programming the three plazas

A. HEALTH and EDUCATION PROGRAM

-Inno park

-Sport and recreation center

-Stages

-Chess club

-Indoor games

New built program Refurbish program Existing program

-Spa -Fitness center -Health resort cottage -Rehabilitation center

-Visitor info center -Bike sharing C.

-Sport equipment rental -Toilets

-Pet therapy center -Emerald city -Visitor info center -Bike sharing -Sport equipment rental

C. EDUCATION PROGRAM -Research center -Elk island center -Magement offices

-clinic

-Conference center

-Toilets

-Visitor info center -Bike sharing

B. AMUSEMENT PROGRAM

-Sport equipment rental

-Eshibition center

-Green houses

-Cafes

-Toilets

-Restaurant -Museums -Shooting range -Community center

PLAZAS Existing cluttered program in the southern part of the park is being redistributed around the three main plazas according to three themes - Health and Sports, Ecological Research and Education. The themes are driven by the predominant large program such as the expo center, the green houses, and health infrastructure and will be functionally integrated connected to the plazas. All major visitors amenities can be found at the plazas, such as visitors centers, sports equipment rental, locker rooms, as well as permanent commercial program with restaurants and cafes. The plazas are the most heavily programmed and frequented areas of the park.

B.

78

5.1 Proposals for the developmemt of the park infrastructure

Concept of the territorial development for the Sokolniki Park

79

6.4 Proposed events and activities in the park

Concept of the territorial development for the Sokolniki Park

Radials programmed as “City Garden”

New b built program

RADIALS Small scale commercial program, such as restaurants, kiosks,

-Cafes

wifi areas and toilets are distributed and contained in pockets

-Restaurant

along the two main connecting rays and the new radial be-

-Kiosks

tween the three main entrance plazas. These pockets serve

-Playgrounds

as stepping stones for people that want to flaneur along the biggest and most actively used infrastructure within the park.

-Toilets -Market area

A number of playground for kids with different abilities and -Wifi work areas ages are also positioned along these main axes.

Playgrrounds

80

Concept of the territorial development for the Sokolniki Park

81

6.4 Proposed events and activities in the park

Concept of the territorial development for the Sokolniki Park

Features of the Landscape Park

LANDSCAPE FEATURES In contrast to the continuous canopy, glades with different landscape features become special attraction points within the forest. Existing landscape features such as ponds, gardens

New Landscape Features:

Existin ng landscape features

1. Labirinth

Existin ng landscape features

2. Camping

Tempo orary program

3. Orchard

and small stages are going to get an upgrade where needed.

Especially the water edges of the existing ponds are in need

4. Lawn

of an upgrade.

5. Sculpture garden,

New landscape features are positioned along the rays at stra-

6. Hill

tegic locations in the nowadays lesser accessible and lesser frequented parts of the forest.

Only temporal program, such as small wooden stands and ki-

Existing Landscape Features: a. Big Pond,

osks are allowed in these areas in order to preserve a ‘natural’ setting and more quite setting of the landscape features.

Special thematized routes connect existing and newly installed landscape features. Visitors with special interests in gardens and landscape, art, cultural and historical remains, or

b. Pond, c. Rose garden, d. Lilac garden, e. Symphonic stage,

adventurous forest exploration can follow these routes. These routes have the potential of attracting new user groups and broaden the range of people that visit Sokolniki Park.

f. Rose garden, g. Pond, h. Central stage, i. Dance floor, j. Amusement center, k. Green theater

82

6.4 Proposed events and activities in the park

Concept of the territorial development for the Sokolniki Park

Loops Landscape and gardens loop

Festival loop

Playground loop

Horse riding loop

Big loop: 6km. Small loop: 3km.

Loop: 3,5km.

Loop: 6km.

Big loop: 7.5km. Medium loop: 6.5 km. Small loop:5km.

Mountain biking loop

Art loop

Adventure trail loop

Skiing loop

Big loop: 6km. Medium loop: 4. Small loop: 3,5km.

Loop: 4.5km.

Loop: 3km.

Big loop: 6km. Small loop: 3.5km.

83

6.4 Proposed events and activities in the park

Concept of the territorial development for the Sokolniki Park

Schedule of events

An exact annual program depends on a large number of

Dec

factors that need more detailed assessment of the feasibility

Jan

of each one of them. Therefore the proposals provided are a broad list of possibilities that could materialize in the park.

Nov

To be able to base suggestions on actual wishes of the local

Feb

population, we have conducted interviews with visitors to the park. The results are summarized in a study in the appendix to this document.

The selected list of events and activities should be organized in a year round schedule. For illustration purposes, we

Oct

Mar

have prepared an illustrative programming proposal on the following pages.

Apr

Sept

Permanent commercial program Recreation

May

Aug Repeating activities Singular activities

Jul Multi day events Single day events

Jun

84

6.4 Proposed events and activities in the park

Concept of the territorial development for the Sokolniki Park

Schedule of events Programmatic element

Type

Season/Duration

Infrastructure Location requirements Location in the park

Audience

Visitors

Total per day

how often

paying

Target groups non paying Visitor type

PERMANENT COMMERCIAL PROGRAM Fountain plaza Health & Sports plaza Forest plaza

Commercial Commercial Commercial

All year round All year round All year round

M L M

fountain plaza health and sports plaza forest plaza

Medium Small Small

2.000 1.000 500

360 360 360

720.000 360.000 180.000

All All All

ONE DAY EVENTS Private company events/shows Commercial fairs Private family events Business meetings Flea market New Year Celebrations Christmas charity show Ortodox Cristmas Valentine's day Sokolniki Winter Triathlon Women's day Saint Patrick day Sokol run Astronautic day Easter Egg Search Labor day Victory Day Day of Moscow parks Museum night Ice Cream Day É‹hildren's day Historic bike ride Day of Russia / Extremex Play(ground) day Family Love and Fidelity Day Sokolniki Open Air Film Festival Lady on the Bike Sokolniki Criterium Cycle race The park is dancing Knowledge day Clown Fest Music day in the park (music everywhere) Last day outside'- festival Friends of Sokolniki Day Christmas carols concert in the park

Commercial Commercial Commercial Commercial Commercial Festivity Culture Festivity Festivity Sports Festivity Festivity Sports Education Festivity Festivity Festivity Recreation Culture Culinary Education Culture Festivity Festivity Festivity Culture Sports Sports Culture Education Culture Culture Culture Community Culture

All year round All year round All year round All year round once a month outside winter December 31 / January 1 January 4 January 7 Feburary 14 End February March 8 March 17 End March April 12 in March April or May May 1 May 9 May 17 May 18 May 31 June 1 June 7 June 12 End of June July 6 Thursdays in July/August August 3 a day in August a day in August September 1 September 13 October 2 November December December/January

M L M M S L L L M M L L M L M L L L L S M M L M M L M M L L M L M L S

plazas, green boulevards expo center fountain plaza, green boulevards conference center green boulevards 3 plazas, park rooms, green boulevards culutre plaze 3 plazas, green boulevards green boulevards, park rooms green boulevards, sports plaze, water bodies fountain plaza, green boulevards fountain plaza, green boulevards sports plaze, green boulevards forest plaza green boulevards, park rooms, landscape park fountain plaza, health and sports plaza, green boulevards 3 plazas whole park culutre plaza, park rooms green boulevards 3 plazas, park rooms green boulevards, sports and health plaza 3 plazas, green boulevards, park rooms Park playgrounds, green rooms Fountain plaza, green boulevards park rooms health and sports plaza green bourlevards plazas, green boulevards forest plaza expo center, park rooms fountain plaza, green boulevards, park rooms, wilderness park 3 plazas, green boulevards whole park park rooms, landscape park

Small Small Small Small Medium Big Medium Big Medium Medium Big Medium Medium Medium Medium Big Big Big Medium Medium Medium Medium Big Medium Medium Small Medium Medium Big Medium Small Big Medium Medium Medium

1.000 5.000 500 50 75.000 500.000 50.000 400.000 50.000 50.000 100.000 25.000 25.000 25.000 25.000 200.000 200.000 100.000 50.000 20.000 50.000 50.000 100.000 50.000 20.000 10.000 10.000 50.000 100.000 5.000 5.000 200.000 75.000 50.000 50.000

100 100 300 300 9 1 4 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 8 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1

100.000 500.000 150.000 15.000 675.000 500.000 200.000 400.000 50.000 50.000 100.000 25.000 25.000 25.000 25.000 200.000 200.000 100.000 50.000 20.000 50.000 50.000 100.000 50.000 20.000 80.000 10.000 50.000 100.000 5.000 5.000 200.000 75.000 50.000 50.000

Invited guests Invited guests Invited guests Invited guests All All Culture lovers All Moscowites All Moscowites All Sporters Moscowites Local community Moscowites All All Culture lovers Kids Kids All All Families Families Adults Women All Adults Schools All All All Friends of Sokolniki All

MULTI DAY EVENTS Medium size sports events Sokolniki Chess Masters Internartional conference on wildlife habitat Ice Matinee in the park Urban Igloo Ice sculpture art show Chinese new year lampion festival Winter landscape Exhibition Spring fair Sokolniki Tracks Sports Festival Velo & Segway Show Stand-up theatre festival Sokolniki Circus Festival "Gardens and People" Retro Fest World BBQ Week Summer rock Urban beach World food festival Fall fair

Commercial Sports Congress Culture Recreation Culture Festivity Culture Commercial Sports Sports Culture Culture Culture Culture Culinary Culture Recreation Culinary Commercial

All year round January January January - March January - March January/February February March 2 weeks in April A weekend in april May 2-4 May a week in May June 19 - 29 June 28-29 Summer week Summer long weekend Summer months September week 2 weeks in September

L L L M M S L M L M M S L M L S L L M L

health and sports plaza, expo center health and sports plaza conference center, forest plaza green room Park room green room fountain plaza, green boulevards whole park culture & health and sports plaza, green boulevard whole park health and sports plaza fountain plaza, park rooms fountain plaza, green rooms fountain plaza, green rooms expo center green boulevards, park rooms fountain plaza, health and sports plaza Park room fountain plaza fountain & health and sports plaza

Medium Small Medium Small Medium Medium Big Medium Big Big Medium Medium Medium Medium Medium Medium Big Medium Medium Big

15.000 1.000 3.000 500 1.000 5.000 10.000 5.000 80.000 75.000 10.000 5.000 10.000 10.000 15.000 2.000 100.000 1.000 10.000 80.000

60 8 5 9 90 15 8 21 15 2 3 8 8 10 2 8 4 90 8 15

900.000 8.000 15.000 4.500 90.000 75.000 80.000 105.000 1.200.000 150.000 30.000 40.000 80.000 100.000 30.000 16.000 400.000 90.000 80.000 1.200.000

Sporters Sporters Experts Culture lovers Local youth All All Culture lovers All Sporters Sporters Culture lovers Culture lovers Culture lovers Youth Moscowites Youth Local youth Moscowites All

Kids

x x x

Teenage Young Mid rs professio agers nal

x x x

x

x

x

x x x

x

x x x x x x x x x x x

x x x x x x

x x x x x x x x x

x x x

x x x

x x x x x x x x x x x x

x x x x x x x x x x x x x

x x x x

x x x x

x x

x x

x x

x x x x

x x x x x x x x

x

x x x

x x x x

x x x x x

x x x x

x

x

x x x

x

x x x x

x

x

x x x x x x

x x x x x x

x x x x x x

Families Elderly

x x x

x x x

x x

x x

x x

x x x x

x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x

x x x

x x x x x

x x

x

x x

x x x x x

x x x x x

x

x x x

x x x x

x x

x x x

x x x

x

x x

x x

x

85

6.4 Proposed events and activities in the park

Concept of the territorial development for the Sokolniki Park

Schedule of events Programmatic element

Type

Season/Duration

Infrastructure Location requirements Location in the park

Audience

Visitors

Total per day

how often

paying

Target groups Teenage Young Mid rs professio agers nal

non paying Visitor type

Kids

Moscowites All Experts Experts Moscowites Experts

x x

x

x

x

Village Festival Art in the park International Park Forum Urban Ecology Conference Christmas Fair Government conferences

Culture Culture Congress Congress Festivity Congress

September 18-21 Fall 5 days in October 5 days in November December - January throughout the year

L M L L L L

fountain plaza, green boulevards park rooms, landscape park, green boulevards conference center, forest plaza conference center, forest plaza fountain plaza, green boulevards conference center, forest plaza

Medium Big Medium Medium Big Small

30.000 10.000 5.000 5.000 15.000 2.000

3 15 5 5 28 14

90.000 150.000 25.000 25.000 420.000 28.000

S INGULAR ACTIVITIES Annual gatherings of local associations Astronomy night Cleaning the park Sokolniki Photo Safari Camping Sokolniki A night in the park Sokolniki Summer Camp International Youth Day Russian Games Bicycle weekend Moscow City Day Paintball challenge School's Park Experience Day Like2Bike Kite flying day Tree socks knitting party

Community Education Maintenance Culture Community Education Recreation Culture Sports Sports Culture Sports Education Culture Sports Handicraft

All year round a night in january a day in April/October a day in May a long weekend in June a night in June July/August a day in August August 14-17 a weekend in August a Sunday in August a day in September a day in September October 5 a day in October a week in November

S S XS XS S S L L L S L S M M XS S

community centers on plazas science plaza, green rooms whole park whole park green rooms whole park Park room 3 plazas health and sports plaza, park rooms sports plaze, green boulevards 3 plazas wilderness park whole park health and sports plaza, green boulevards park rooms wilderness park

Small Small Small Small Small Small Small Medium Medium Medium Medium Small Medium Medium Small Small

100 2.000 2.500 1.000 5.000 5.000 2.500 50.000 20.000 15.000 75.000 500 30.000 50.000 2.000 1.000

180 1 2 1 4 1 60 1 4 2 1 1 1 1 1 8

18.000 2.000 5.000 1.000 20.000 5.000 150.000 50.000 80.000 30.000 75.000 500 30.000 50.000 2.000 8.000

Diverse group All All Photographers Youth All Kids Youth Youth All All Action game lovers Kids All Kids Elderly women

REPEATING ACTIVITIES Forest Kindergarden Local associations activities Urban Farm Jogging Park learning Garden maintenance workshops Working in the park Horse riding in the park Baby Fest Experiments in the park Cycling Inline Skating Yoga Poetry slam Handicraft workshops Rope's course Sokolniki book crossing MULTI DAY EVENTS Making playground' Open air lectures series Ice skating Skiing Survival training Wood cutting workshops

Education Community Education Sport Education Maintenance Work Sports Health Education Sport Sport Sport Culture Handicraft Sport Culture Education Education Sport Sport Sport Maintenance

All year round All year round All year round All year round All year round All year round All year round All year round Every month March - October March - October March - October March - October March - October March - October March - October a week in May 2 weeks in May Regular week days in summer October - March November - March November - March November - March

M XS S XS XS S XS XS M S XS XS XS S S M S S M M XS XS S

park rooms depending on activity forest plaza Wilderness park Whole park Whole park Whole park wilderness park health and sports plaza forest plaza Wilderness park, green boulevards Wilderness park, green boulevards green rooms fountain plaza green rooms wilderness park fountain plaza green rooms forest plaza health and sports plaza Wilderness park Wilderness park Whole park

Small Small Small Small Small Small Small Small Small Small Small Small Small Small Small Small Small Small Small Medium Small Small Small

150 1.500 100 200 200 100 100 50 250 500 200 250 200 200 200 200 500 250 250 500 200 100 100

300 300 360 360 300 300 300 360 12 210 210 210 210 8 20 210 8 10 12 180 150 50 50

45.000 450.000 36.000 72.000 60.000 30.000 30.000 18.000 3.000 105.000 42.000 52.500 42.000 1.600 4.000 42.000 4.000 2.500 3.000 90.000 30.000 5.000 5.000

Kids Different Kids Sporters Schools Adults Adults Sporters Mothers Kids Sporters Sporters Sporters Moscowites Moscowites Sporters Moscowites Schools Experts Moscowites Sporters All Adults

Recreation

All year round

XS

Whole park

Medium

7.500

360

x x x x x x

x x

x x x x x

x x x

x x x

x x x x x x

x x x x

x x x x x x

x x x x

x x x x x x

Families Elderly

x

x x

x

x

x

x

x x x x

x

x

x

x x

x x

x x

x

x x x

x x x

x

x

x

x x

x

x

x x

x

x x x

x

x

x

x

x

x

x x x

x x x x

x

x

x x

x

x x x x x x x

x x x x x

x

x

x

x x x x x

x x

x

x

x x

x

x x x

x

x

x

RECREATION Strolling in the park Visitors expected Total

10.996.500

XS - no infrastructure S - ad hoc infrastructure M - small infrastructure L - a lot of infrastructure numbers are based on experience from other programmed parks in the world

2.700.000 All 4.399.100 15.395.600

x

x

86

6.5 Predicted change in the structure of the target audience

Concept of the territorial development for the Sokolniki Park

87

More diverse and more targeted users groups

Visits are concentrated to limited times of the year

Proposed park layout will have a significant impact

Sokolniki Park enjoys wide popularity amongst Muscovites.

With the changes proposed for the layout of the park and the

With 800.000 visitors it already is a popular destination in the

programming, the park will be able to attract more people

city. However visits are largely concentrated to December

and more diverse groups throughout the year.

and the summer months and on weekends. Outside these

•

times the park attracts much less people.

Current programme is not very targeted

Experts

All

Teenagers

fit expectations for the different user groups •

Elderly

Elderly

The plazas allow for co programming of several events at

Sporters

the same time suiting different target groups

visitors. The reasons for this can lie in the varying popularity of events but it can also lie in an insufficient provision of

Mid agers

The upgraded park environment and the clear zoning will allow for more comfort and park environments that better

The current programming of the park does not reflect the visitor frequency pattern. More events do not lead to more

Kids

The new entrances allow for better access to the park for a bigger group of people

•

Invited guests

Local Community

Kids

•

events for specific target groups. The main target groups of

The stronger involvement of the local population, associations and volunteers will lead to higher frequency

the park next to the diffuse all ages groups today are (in that

Teenagers

Families

Young professionals

Culture lovers

of use of this group

Special interest groups

order) elderly, children and very little for the youth.

•

Targeted special interest programs and the educational program will attract larger groups of younger people,

Need for more specific target groups The future ‘programming and business case’ for Sokolniki

especially during the week •

Sports and lifestyle events and activities focus on younger

Park needs to aim at changing the use patterns of the target

groups of users, most likely increasing their visiting

groups:

frequency

•

The youth should be a bigger target group since it not

•

to the park since something ‘new’ is happening

only is has a relatively big spending power and is a group that can be connected with the park long term •

•

Changes in urban lifestyles with a bigger focus on community and health will lead to an increased use of the

programming should define more specific groups

park, especially activities of one’s own interest groups.

The working age population should be attracted more

Next to individuals, kindergartens, schools, companies, associations should become target groups

•

•

Target groups should not only be age group based but

targeted since this groups has the biggest spending power •

A high frequency of events will attract people more often

The purpose of visiting the park should be reflected in the target group matrix and programming for the park – visiting an event, activity or recreation

Current user groups Not very specific

Proposed user groups More diverse More targeted

6.6 Public and private partnership mechanisms

Concept of the territorial development for the Sokolniki Park

Public and private partnership mechanisms See Chapter 7.4

88

Concept of the territorial development for the Sokolniki Park

7.

ECONOMIC STABILITY OF THE PARK

89

7.1 Framework financial model and assessment of the park’s operating efficiency

Concept of the territorial development for the Sokolniki Park

Assessment of the park’s operating efficiency

At present the park is not exploiting its economic potential at

clear role, and remit of GAUK Sokolniki, it tries to operate as

Currently GAUK* (*State autonomous cultural institution) park

The maintenance of the facilities includes:

full. Reasons for that are:

both, a public sector maintenance and social service provider

“Sokolniki” completely controls an integrated management of

- sanitary maintenance of the facilities;

- A limited area that currently is suitable for economic and

and a commercially operating event company. This leads to a

the Park, namely

income generating activities

high degree of inefficiency and a big and inflexible structure.

a) the content management of the Park and

- A large number of permanent economic activities in the

The present financial model with its three supporting

b) facility management.

- disinfection¬ (destruction of insects);

park deliver a steady income but less than what a more event

columns – subsidies for state assignments, state subsidies

Content management of the Park includes the following

driven programming with shorter events could deliver

- disinfestation (destruction of rodents);

within the state program for the development of recreation

groups of competencies:

- Many income generating facilities are not operating

and tourist industry and third party revenues for renting out

efficiently and appear dated

facilities and the budget forecasts show a significant shift from

- The ratio of third party organized events is relatively small.

public sector funding to funding from commercial activities.

This means that a relatively big amount of funds has to be

No strategy is mentioned how this should be achieved. With

spent by the park management for organizing events which

the existing areas for commercial activity largely occupied

leads to high permanent labour costs.

- cleaning of the facility; - removal of garbage and household waste;

- maintenance of adjacent land;

- attracting users and visitors;

- garbage and snow disposal;

- registering and regulating a relationship between users, Park

- planting, landscaping;

and individuals responsible for the management;

90

- maintenance of green areas;

- ensuring the implementation of payments;

- maintenance of beautification elements of the Park and of

by such events, this increase can only be achieved with the

- providing communal resources for the facilities, and

small forms;

- The expenditure to generate income through commercial

extension of areas suitable for commercial exploitation or by

providing communal and other services for the users.

- preparation of the facilities for the holidays.

activities currently is very high, leading to too small a profit in

increasing the revenue from already established economic

these activities

activity. With the latter rather unlikely due to longer running

Facility management must ensure the stability of the

- current repairs;

- There is a lack of unity and coherence between the different

leases and an already existing tendency of over programming

functional purpose of the Park and its service infrastructure.

- structural repairs;

events currently happening largely at the main park entrance.

of these zones, the park needs to establish an alternative and

Facility management involves organizing, planning, provision

- retrofitting;

The park therefore misses out using synergy effects

extended income generating model.

and control of:

- The number of events and visitors greatly varies between

Unlike in other metropolises, other income generation

- providing technical service for the engineering-technical

months, consequently not using existing infrastructures in an optimum way - As a consequence of the high share of self organized events

possibilities such as donations and cultural sponsoring do not seem to play a role in the financial model, despite the existence of a donation and sponsoring culture in Russia.

and other activities, the current staff level of around 370 seems high for the size and profile of the park. New York Central Park

Another aspect hard to monetize but certainly existing are the

Repairing the facilities includes:

- reconstruction. infrastructure of the Park; - maintaining Park facilities;

Even a concise disclosure of Park management aspects demonstrates its complexity and shows that the GAUK park “Sokolniki” carries the uneasy burden of its maintenance.

- repairing Park facilities.

Technical service typically includes:

Content management of the Park provides its profitability.

Revenue from commercial activities is directed to the Park

societal savings activities in the park, an intact ecosystem and

- maintenance of structural elements;

costs associated with the management and operation of the

better environmental quality deliver. In the future this could

- maintenance of engineering systems;

Park and personnel maintenance. Looking at the financial

play a role in assessing the amount of government funding

- emergency service;

flows, the institution activity can be assessed by whether it is

on a dynamic commercial entity. While this safeguards the

for urban parks.

- traffic control.

‘res-publica’ of Sokolniki Park, such an organisational model

To be able to achieve the income goals, the economic and

if the company does not work very well, still the necessary

does not function equally well when it come Since there is no

operational model of Sokolniki Park need adjustment.

resources will come from the budget.

conservancy for example employs about 25% less.

Overall the current financial and operational model of the park appears to be oriented on a public sector authority and not

increasing or decreasing the share of budget subsidies. At the same time, the share of subsidies is large enough, and even

7.1 Framework financial model and assessment of the park’s operating efficiency

Concept of the territorial development for the Sokolniki Park

Framework financial model Thus, like any public economic agent, the purpose of the Park

The distribution of these services within the park in

is not profit, but first and foremost is to ensure the functioning

accordance with the zoning:

of the park, which provides the population of the city with

1) plaza zone

comfortable conditions for recreation, sports, entertainment,

3) streets and playgrounds zone

Park maintenance

Private economic entity Private economic entity, or GAUK volunteers or GAUK

Private economic entity

Main radials

Private economic entity Private economic entity, or GAUK volunteers or GAUK

Private economic entity

Streets and playgrounds zone

Private economic entity Private economic entity, or GAUK volunteers or GAUK

Private economic entity

GAUK

-

4) forest Our Proposal suggests the following:

existence according to the estimates paper and not by the fact

I. significantly, perhaps even completely take the content

of their operations often doesn’t motivate them to optimize

management of the Park away from the functions of the

the costs and increase the quality of services. In addition, the

GAUK park “Sokolniki”, and transfer to the market the majority

lack of budget money is a constraint in the implementation

– if possible 100% of the commercial services and socio-

of investments in the development of the park infrastructure.

cultural services appropriate and possible by the market to perform (Table and Figure 1);

Therefore we propose to change the principles of the organization of the Park operations based on the analysis of services provided by the park of culture and recreation “Sokolniki”.

II. replace extra-budgetary revenues from commercial services and from a part of socio-cultural services by the income from a land lease and where appropriate a share of the operational profit generated by the leaseholders ; III. reduce the area and facilities of the Park which are subject

Park services can be divided into the following main groups:

to the operation costs to be carried by GAUK by reallocating responsibility for the maintenance on tenants who are

1) services related to the maintenance of the park; 2) services to the public related to the support of socially

offering commercial and socio-cultural services on the leased territories;

important events, projects for the promotion of philanthropy and volunteerism, education, science, culture, arts, health

IV. assess the feasibility and decide on outsourcing the work

care and protection, promotion of a healthy lifestyle,

on the maintenance of the parts of the Park where there is no

improving the morale of the citizens, physical culture and

economic activity of private economic entities that provide

sport, promotion of such activities, and also promotion of the

commercial and socio-cultural services;

spiritual development of the individual - social and cultural; 3) commercial services, relevant to the concept and program

Commercial

Socio-cultural

Plaza Zone

Existing organization of the Park maintenance in our view

Subsidizing budgetary institutions based on the fact of their

S ervices

P ark Zones

2) main radials

education and social interaction.

could be improved.

91

V. establish number of staff of the GAUK park “Sokolniki” in accordance with the new functionality.

of the park.

Table 1

Forest

GAUK

7.1 Framework financial model and assessment of the park’s operating efficiency

Concept of the territorial development for the Sokolniki Park

Framework financial model Lease agreements with private entities must define conditions, allowed programs of the use of the territory and facilities,

Current cost structure

Cost structure according to the proposal

commitment of the tenant to develop and have the programs approved, with the subsequent development of the GAUK park “Sokolniki” master plan and program of the land use.

Costs of maintaining the park in terms of landscaping, transport and pedestrian networks, and engineering infrastructure

Could be reduced according to the commitment of the Tenants to maintain the territory and degree of outsourcing

Costs associated with provision of commercial activities of the Park

No if outsourced

Costs associated with salary of the staff responsible for the content management

Only for overhead programming, not for actual content provision if outsourced

Costs associated with salary of the staff responsible for the maintenance of the Park in terms of landscaping, transport and pedestrian networks, and engineering infrastructure

Could be reduced according to the commitment of the Tenants to maintain the territory and to the degree of outsourcing

Costs associated with salary of the staff responsible for the management and maintenance of the institution

Reducing the amount of functions of the institution will entail simplification of the structure of the management and maintenance of the institution

GAUK park “Sokolniki” should define standards for the territory maintenance, while the tenant is obliged to comply with them. Also in relationship with GAUK park “Sokolniki” there could be commitment of the Tenant to ensure a provision of socio-cultural services at the rates that are approved with the GAUK park “Sokolniki”.

The proposed scheme of a Park management will definitely reduce the GAUK expenses: Table 2

Financial performance analysis of the GAUK park “Sokolniki” for the year 2013 with some degree of accuracy allows us to say that the income from the commercial activity of the

# row

Properties

thousand rubles

%

Park equals the costs of providing these activities. It must be recognized that the qualitative analysis of the activities is

1

total budget expenditures

2

acquisition of works and services

1 151 833

difficult to make based on generalized indicators that were in the initial data of the development of the proposal, so if our interpretation of the data may be incorrect, we propose to carry out a structured analysis of the correlation of costs of commercial activity and the obtained income from it. The logic of our argument is the following:

2.1.

2.1.

2.1.

2.1.

3

Table 3

65%

748 691

0.40% 0.30% 7.10% 37.60%

4 607 3 455 81 780 433 089

including communication services transportation utilities maintaining property in good condition

total

522 932

4

costs for salary

15.70%

180 838

5

row 2 - row 3, expenditures for commercial activities

225 759

6

extra-budgetary funds from commercial activities

350 085

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7.1 Framework financial model and assessment of the park’s operating efficiency

Concept of the territorial development for the Sokolniki Park

Framework financial model

Of the total budget expenditures, 65% accounts for the costs

BS=MC+SD-(Rpp+MCpp+PSpp),

The proposed scheme can be developed in all directions. With

institutions (their non-main activity) to a private enterprise

associated with the acquisition of work and services, of which

where

appropriate market conditions and successful programming

specializing in this field and capable of reducing costs, and

of the Park, which allows private entities to make profit and

most importantly improving the quality of service provision.

37.6% percent of the total spending goes to the maintenance of the Park. Subtracting the cost of communication services,

BS - budget subsidies

thus pay the rental rate, to subsidize social services and bear

transportation and utilities, we assume that the remaining

MC - the cost of maintaining the Park and maintaining it at a

the burden of the maintenance of the used territory according

amount is spent on provision of commercial activity of the

level in line with its vision and strategy development

to specific standards, the amount of budgetary investments

SD - subsidies for social and cultural services to the public

can be reduced to zero.

Rpp - rent for use of the land (facility)

We believe that even if a low level of a visitor flow and,

Park which is 225,759 thousand rubles. We believe that in terms of utilities and salary costs a substantial proportion, about 50 - 60%, can also be attributed to the provision

MCpp – Tenant carrying out the commitment of the

commercial activity is around 357,068 thousand rubles, which

maintenance of the territory of the Park according to the

is obtained the following way:

standards of GAUK, developed in accordance with the vision

225,759 + (81,780 + 180,838) * 50%, and is close to the

and strategy of the Park

provided by the business, as well as:

- attracting best practices in the field of the park industry;

carry the burden of the area maintenance, it can be allowed

- having access to more advanced technology at the same

for them to conduct commercial activity. In this case, there

or lower cost;

are still certain benefits: population, visitors of the Park will receive necessary services, consistent with the program of the

amount of income from commercial activity. A result that

PSpp - delivery and / or provision by the Tenant of conditions

park, and GAUK park “Sokolniki” will exclude from its budget

– if continued - draws into question any kind of economic

for the socio-cultural services to the public according to the

expenditure costs related to the organization of commercial

exploitation of the park.

rates approved by GAUK

services, and therefore will reduce the burden on the city

The algorithm of establishing relationship with private entities

provision of services which, for economic reasons, are not

- improving the quality of administration work; therefore, revenue will not allow the tenants to pay rent or

of commercial activity. Therefore, the sum of the cost of

In turn, the institution will focus on its core activities - the

budget.

- improving the efficiency of the use of budgetary resources and creating a potential for their reduction, as well as the possibility of reallocating resources of the institution that were previously involved in minor functions and directions.

All this has a direct impact on the high quality of the Park functioning, which is the main purpose of the implementation

in the proposed scheme of the organization of the Park

We believe that the proposed Park management scheme is

management is a procedure of finding a balance, which can

an effective form of joint activity that can attract small and

be represented in a simplified form in the following equation:

medium enterprises to carry out the public service in order to improve the quality of its provision. A positive aspect in this case is the transfer of non-core functions of budgetary

of the technology of a private-public cooperation in the field of a state and municipal management.

93

7.1 Framework financial model and assessment of the park’s operating efficiency

Concept of the territorial development for the Sokolniki Park

Framework financial model

Zones of maintenance Zone 1, plazas Zone 2, main rays Zone 3a, attraction points Zone 3b, streets Zone 4, forest

Infrastructure Paths & Access to the park Underpass under railway pedestrian bridge crossing the street Reconstruction of main rays Reconstruction of secondary rays Reconstruction of streets Forest trails

m2

price per m

50 150 4,500 10,600 5,800 25,000 m2

New forest attractions (high quality landscape) Labyrinth Camping Orchard Lawn Sculpture garden Hill

m2

Parking (surface parking on gravel, tarmac roads) 1 2 3

m2

Total investment

Maintenance cost per annum 7,184,000 8 32,240,000 39,424,000

16

Investment m running length

Sport & health Plaza hardstand/landscape new landscape reconstruction buildings new buildings Forest Plaza new buildings hardstand/Landscape landscape Fountain Plaza Expo new buildings new building program

Additional cost for signage, building removal, traffic alterations

maintenance cost per m2 449,000 127,000 404,000 306,000 4,030,000

94

900

22,500,000 22,500,000

price per m2 22,000 18,000 1,000 13,000

2000 1000 15000 30000

44,000,000 18,000,000 15,000,000 390,000,000

9,200 13,000 9,000

30000 2000 1000

276,000,000 26,000,000 9,000,000

14,000 2,500

20000 35000

280,000,000 87,500,000 1,145,500,000

1500 1500 1500 900 1200 1000

15,000,000 25,500,000 21,000,000 13,500,000 20,400,000 12,000,000 107,400,000

1500 1500 1500

52,500,000 27,000,000 51,000,000 130,500,000

20%

276,680,000

price per m2 10,000 17,000 14,000 15,000 17,000 12,000 price per m2 35,000 18,000 34,000

1,660,080,000

7.3 Cooperation of Sokolniki park Directorate with third party owners

Concept of the territorial development for the Sokolniki Park

Cooperation with third party owners

In general the park management should practice a transparent communication and decision making culture. Only with a partnership based on trust, third party owners will deliver the maximum value for the park as a whole. To achieve this, involving these owners in the decision making on the programming and key infrastructural projects greatly helps (see below for administrative model). Third party owners should

A use that could fit with adjustments: For objects housing uses that in principle fit the overall image and programming of the park but would work better when adjusted, the park management could help implementing these improvements. Either by providing financial support, an increase of the possibility of the owner to generate income or by other incentives.

also be encouraged to develop programming for the objects they own, adding to the mix of activities.

A use fits: The level and way of cooperation with individual third party owners of structures in the park depends on the type of structure, its use and its role in the future plans for the park:

Even when the use of an object fits well, the Park management has to make sure, it stays up to date. Regular contact with the owners, business improvement consultancy and active promotion of well working local private businesses help keeping the level up.

A use that does not fit and will not fit: For these types of uses, the Park management should approach third party owners to discuss how the use of an object can be changed, bearing in mind the commercial interest of the owner. This can either lead to agreements about removing the use and compensating the owner or it can lead to the transformation of an object. Here the Park management could be supporting in providing loans for the transformation or other incentives where feasible.

95

7.4 Mechanisms of public and private partnership

Concept of the territorial development for the Sokolniki Park

State and private partnership

Private Public Partnership Models (PPP):

•

overlook and not compromise the medium to long term

There are a large number of PPP models. Depending on the

future usability and adaptability of the park

division of roles and responsibilities, the private sector plays a bigger or smaller role.

PPP agreements should not cover periods of time hard to

•

PPP should allow the Park Management to capture part of the profits accumulated by the private party

Typically the level of investment in fixed infrastructure and

•

the best value for money and the best quality and service

buildings in parks is relatively low. The majority of funds are

for the park.

spent on programming, maintenance and operation. For Sokolniki Park, especially for larger events and the provision

All PPP projects should be tendered to be able to define

•

PPP models should not be used for the core tasks the

of the baseline commercial offer the PPP model can be use-

park management has to perform to secure the baseline

ful and practical, especially since the – due to the temporary

quality such as maintenance and provision and upgrade

nature of all events – the damages in case of failure of the

of basic infrastructures..

model intended are limited.

•

Before using PPP models, it should always be assessed if other models would not deliver the same results (e.g.

PPP Application principles:

contracting, franchise or service agreements) but reserve a stronger role for the Park Management.

•

When applying PPP models a number of key principles should be considered and embedded in the agreements regulating the collaboration:

•

PPP model should maintain the balance between private profit interests and the park as public good

•

PPP agreements should clearly define service levels and ensure mechanisms are in place to request and enforce those to be met

96

7.5 Proposals for the optimization of the park administrative management model

Concept of the territorial development for the Sokolniki Park

Proposal for a ‘Trust’ or Non-Profit Organisation model

The current administrative model for Sokolniki Park is very

To achieve this four bodies should complement the daily

enjoy special advantages such as discounts, special events

General Administration

much that of an authority: A relatively big staff base, the

management structure:

and a special online community.

The general administration is in charge of finances, corporate

heads of the management appointed by government authorities and many of the processes and the majority of funds

management, human resources…

“Supervisory Board”

“Park 2 Business Group”

The supervisory board sets out the strategic directions, mon-

The third party land owners and their businesses are an im-

itors the management’s activities and appoints senior man-

portant factor in the appearance and the programming of

To arrive at a more dynamic management structure one could

agement. The board consists of government officials, repre-

the park. To help them improving their business but also to

establish a leaner not for profit entity whose core task is to

sentatives of Mosgorpark, representatives of the cultural and

convince them to develop their own businesses to meet the

provide maintenance of the park and to tender, manage and

social life of Moscow, ecologists and representatives of the

overall strategies for the park this special forum can be used.

coordinate commercial and outsourced services. However,

local community.

from government funding streams all render the image of an institutionalized entity with little innovation potential.

such an entity would miss out on the commercial, cultural and societal role Sokolniki Park is fulfilling. Therefore the ideal

The daily management and operation structure should be “Curating Board”

strengthened and consolidated. We propose to establish four

entities with a public agenda and an orientation towards the

The curating board is in charge of setting up the program for

different departments:

‘greater good’.

each year. The curating board brings a wide variety of peo-

model should combine the efficient structure of commercial

ple together. People from the cultural and social scene, busi-

Maintenance

In many places worldwide the model of the ‘trust’ or non-prof-

ness leaders, event experts, green space experts, community

The maintenance department is in charge of the mainte-

it organisations (NPO) has proven a successful tool to achieve

representatives and representatives of local associations as

nance of all facilities and the different landscapes of the park.

that in relation to public parks. In the US and Europe many parks are using the foundation model successfully. Next being more independent from profit maximisation and public sector considerations, trusts or NPO also have the possibility

well as representatives of third party landowners in the park.

Representatives of the latter two groups could be selected

Events & Activities

through two other bodies:

This department is in charge of tendering and organizing events and activities and managing third party activities in

to accept donations from third parties and thus are able to open a new source of income.

“Friends of Sokolniki Park”

the park

A park with the profile and context of Sokolniki Park should Unlike private or government bodies, charitable trusts and NPOs usually enjoy high respect and regularly manage to attract large groups of volunteers that support their agenda.

The entity that administers and manages the Park should be-

ensure, local communities, associations, volunteers and do-

Programming, Business Development & Marketing

nators contribute to its success. The Friends of Sokolniki can

This department is in charge of the programming of the park

be a vehicle to bond with these groups in a targeted and low

and the development of its business model and actual mar-

threshold way.

keting of the park. Maintaining and moderating the Park 2 Business Group and the Friends of Sokolniki also fall under its

come that highly respected body. Achieving this requires a more transparent and inclusive management model that en-

The friends could perform over some of the programming,

gages local businesses, the local communities and associa-

some of the maintenance as well as some of the operational

tions and volunteers.

tasks in relation to events. The friends of Sokolniki Park also

responsibilities.

97

7.5 Proposals for the optimization of the park administrative management model

Concept of the territorial development for the Sokolniki Park

Proposal for a ‘Trust’ or Non-ProďŹ t Organisation model

Respected persons of society, administration, culture, science...

Rooting the park in society Supervisory Board

appoints, controls

appoints, controls

CEO Sokolniki Park

Curating Board proposes program

sends members

leads

General Administration

Maintenance

Events & Activities

Programming, Business Development & Marketing

Department director

Department director

Department director

Department director

Sub departments - finances - operations - ...

Maintenance team

Project management teams

Sub departments - programming - business dev.

- aquisition - marketing ....

Friends of Sokolniki Park 2 Business

closely collaborates

business owners in the park

98

7.6 Proposals for the transformation of the catering system

Concept of the territorial development for the Sokolniki Park

Differentation of the catering offer

The current catering within Sokolniki Park knows two types of offer – formalized garden restaurants and kiosk type food outlets. With the proposed differentiation and extension of commercial activities in other places, the opportunity emerges to have a stronger differentiation of the catering offer. Both – in terms of type of catering and in terms of broadness of the culinary offer Sokolniki Park can develop a more distinct identity.

Baseline catering

offer variety, for all income groups, more outlets

The park should always provide baseline catering for low to high income groups and with a certain variety of choice that is healthy. Where there are deficits in the current offer, additional outlets should be added. This could relatively easily be done in the new commercial zones – the plazas of the park.

Within a business upgrade program (see above) shortcomings in the existing catering could be eliminated.

Next to this baseline provision, more targeted catering could be added as part of the programming of the park. Culinary culture festivals could be established or catering that complements other events and activities could be co programmed with these events (e.g. sports food with a big sports event, Chinese kitchen with the Chinese new year lampion festival…). This would deliver a more integral experience of the program of the park.

Targeted catering part of park programm, integrated with park experience

99

Next steps

Concept of the territorial development for the Sokolniki Park

To implement the proposal we suggest a number of steps

experts, stakeholders, local community & representatives of society

to be taken to arrive at a structure, a kind of ‘constitution for Sokolniki Park.

As a first step, a number of workshops could be held to sharpen and further refine the different aspects of the structures proposed. Those workshops should include experts for the different fields as well as representatives of the different stakeholders, local community and society as a whole.

Structure

Programming & operation

40 forest maintenance

future structure of Sokolniki Park management

strategic programming and operational models

refinement of concept and maintenance levels

Workshop ‘Structure’ In this workshop the future structure of the Sokolniki Park management entity could be discussed and defined.

Workshop ‘Programming and Operation’ In this workshop the strategic programming could be discussed and shaped and it could be defined which elements of the programming and operation could be outsourced or leased out to third party commercial entities and which would remain with the park management entity.

Constitution of Sokolniki Park Workshop ’40 forest maintenance regime’ In this workshop the idea of the 40 forests could be defined further and the different maintenance levels and the actual underwood structure could be refined.

The results of these workshops together would form the ‘con-

Sokolniki Park management entity

stitution’ of Sokolniki Park and serve as the basis for adjustments of structures, operational models and mark the starting point for the park management entity to take over.

adjustment of structures, operational model and programming of the park

100