Promoted by the declaration of the Kazan Kremlin as a World Heritage Site and the imminence of Kazan’s 200th anniversary, the Kazan government initiated some significant improvements to the city center. This project involved the conceptual master planning of three adjacent city sites. The combined sites total 98 acres and incorporate the existing Kazan Zoo and Botanical Gardens. The existing zoo is relocated across a lake from the city on a greenfield site that links to retail development with a signature bridge. The symbolic representation of a “Strikaza” (dragon fly), the bridge provides the theme for the extended master plan.

Atkins performed conceptual architectural design, master planning, and landscape design in coordination with botanists and zoologists. The zoo component was developed in conjunction with the Zoological Society of London. Due to the harsh winter conditions in Kazan, the zoo layout clusters “warm” species around the central tropical house to give visitors an indoor “mini” zoo experience during icy weather months. Cold-hearty creatures are housed on radiating circular paths that guide visitors back to the main tropical house “hub.” We also provided schematic designs for the lion and giraffe enclosures and the squirrel-monkey island, which enables visitors to wander inside the enclosure—an entirely new concept. On the retail side, the signature tubular bridge encompasses a “winter garden” that houses a historically significant collection of subtropical plants. The zoo end of the bridge terminates in a spectacular tropical house. Entertainment facilities of the center include a children’s playground, an open-air park with various attractions for children, an area that highlights Tatar national culture, a large cinema with nine spectator halls, a game zone, a food court, and facilities for bowling as well as numerous bars and cafés.

• Architecture
• Master planning and urban design

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