Saratov is a city located in the southeastern European portion of Russia, and a major cultural and economic centre of the Volga region. This open international competition will determine the best concept for integrated development of 5 sites in the central part of the city: the former Saratov-Tsentralny (Saratov-Central) Airport, the Park Pobedy (Victory Park) Memorial Complex on Sokolovaya Gora, Zeleny Island, Glebuchev Ovrag (Glebuchev Ravine) and the Pokrovskie Peski (Pokrovsky Sands) Island.
Founded as a fortress city at the end of the 16th century, Saratov became a key trading centre on the Volga in the 18th and 19th centuries. The flourishing merchant class was responsible for much of Saratov’s historical construction. With the development of the industrial sector in the 20th century, new residential districts were formed. At the end of the 20th and beginning of the 21st centuries, new construction began to appear further and further from the centre of Saratov and the impact on public spaces in the historical centre increased significantly.
Solutions based on architectural and urban planning concepts will allow the city to expand its centre, develop public and business functionality, create new public spaces in the city centre and re-evaluate recreational areas in built-up areas.
