On high-rise construction as a driver of industrial growth

On July 11, within the framework of the international industrial exhibition Innomrom-2014, a discussion platform "High–rise construction as a driver of industrial growth in the regions" was organized. The discussion became a kind of presentation of the 100+ Forum Russia.

According to Arkady Chernetsky, a member of the Federation Council, it is no coincidence that Yekaterinburg is so actively talking about high-rise construction.

- The Ural capital is one of the tallest megacities in Russia and is one of the top hundred "tall" cities in the world, - said Arkady Mikhailovich. – This is the result of the policy that has been implemented in the city over the past 20 years. The optimal model was chosen, thanks to which there was no failure in housing construction, as in other cities of the country. Yekaterinburg continues to increase the pace of construction, including due to the development of technologies specifically in high-rise construction, the expansion of their volumes, and now, having the opportunity to observe the development of other Russian cities, I can tell you quite frankly: this scale of high-rise construction exists only in Moscow and the Moscow region. There is no other such scale in the country."

As noted by the head of the Siemens expert center for urban development "Crystal" in London (ex-adviser to the Mayor of London) Martin Powell, skyscrapers not only decorate modern cities, but also contribute to socio-economic development. According to statistics, an employee living in a block of high-rise buildings shows greater productivity than his colleague from a low-rise suburb. High-rise buildings contribute to a more rational organization of people's lives in megacities, because in one building it is possible to accommodate not only office space, but also housing and retail facilities. In addition, modern high-rise buildings are safe. For example, in New York, powerful hurricanes do not disrupt the functioning of life support systems in skyscrapers, which cannot be said about the same low-rise Bangkok, where such natural disasters are accompanied by numerous victims and destruction.

Vyacheslav Trapeznikov, Executive Director of the Guild of Builders of the Urals, Executive Secretary of 100+ Forum Russia, said that an example Yekaterinburg clearly demonstrates that high—rise construction is a factor in attracting investors and a factor in the growth of other sectors of the economy.

We have started the construction of the Yekaterinburg City quarter. The construction of the Iset tower, with a planned height of 209 meters, is already nearing completion here. According to Sergey Yerypalov, project manager, Director of Capital Construction and Investments at UMMC-Holding LLC, the knowledge and experience of specialists from well-known global firms are used at the construction site, but local designers and builders from four dozen organizations still play a leading role. Next year, the construction of another high-rise building is planned in the quarter. It is noteworthy that the integrated development of Yekaterinburg City provides not only for high-rise buildings, but also for the organization of pedestrian traffic, the creation of recreational areas, and cultural space.

- In Moscow, foreign specialists build high-rise buildings, and in Yekaterinburg, architects, designers, engineers, and companies are all ours, - Vyacheslav Trapeznikov emphasized at the end of the discussion. - We must show the whole of Russia the capabilities of Russian people who are able to design and build according to Russian standards, in Russian conditions. And to offer all the solutions that we have for all our colleagues in the country."

A draft roadmap for high-rise construction was presented to the audience. The final adoption of the roadmap is scheduled for September, which will be one of the main tasks of the 100+ Forum Russia. After all, in order to realize all the plans, it is necessary, first of all, to resolve issues related to the regulatory regulation of high-rise construction, coordination and examination of documentation. In general, there will be plenty of topics for discussion at the 100+ Forum Russia!