In Irkutsk, a contest has started for landscape architects and designers, who must propose an original greening solution for a difficult site at the intersection of Nizhnyaya Embankment and Veterans Boulevard. Of 20 entries, 6 projects advanced to the second stage, and the winner will get a chance to see their idea realized in the city streets. The area is special because many utility lines run beneath it, making it hard to plant trees and shrubs, so participants need to find unconventional landscaping options. The contest is a continuation of joint efforts by activists and city authorities to restore green spaces in this area.

A competition for landscape architects, designers, and representatives of related professions is being held by the initiative group “Give Life to the Planet” together with the administration of the city of Irkutsk and sponsors. Contest participants were invited to develop a greening project for two sites at the intersection of Nizhnyaya Naberezhnaya Street and Veterans Boulevard.
This area is particularly challenging: a large number of utility lines run through it, making it difficult to plant trees and shrubs. Young architects and designers were tasked with coming up with an alternative option for greening or improving this part of the urban environment.
Twenty entries were submitted for expert review, and 6 projects were selected to take part in the second stage. Now the contestants must develop cost estimates and technical documentation for implementing their project. The winner’s project will be brought to life on the city streets.
As a reminder, since 2011 more than 70% of the green plantings in the Nizhnyaya Naberezhnaya area have failed to take root. In 2014, the Ecology Department of the Committee for Urban Development of the city of Irkutsk proposed that the organizers of the “Give Life to the Planet” project help restore the plantings. As a result of this cooperation and the involvement of caring city residents and organizations in our city, about 170 mature trees and 750 shrubs were planted.
This competition is a natural continuation of the joining of efforts by the public and municipal authorities. According to the creators of the “Give Life to the Planet” group, such cooperation now and in the future will help build a wonderful bridge from the promising youth of Irkutsk to a beautiful and cozy city now and in the future.
Based on materials from the press service of the Irkutsk administration.