Students from the Saint Petersburg State University of Architecture and Civil Engineering took part in the IV Architectural Competition of the Leningrad Region Competence Center, which was held from 4 March to 1 April, 2026.
The competition was organized by the ANO Leningrad Region Competence Center in conjunction with the Leningrad Region Committee for Housing and Public Utilities. Its goal is to develop public space improvement projects selected by regional residents for subsequent participation in the All-Russian vote as part of the federal project "Creating a comfortable urban environment." The best projects will be implemented in 2027.
The competition involved 65 students from specialized universities, formed into interdisciplinary teams. These teams included architects, sociologists, economists, as well as representatives of government agencies and local communities.
During the drawing, teams were assigned tasks in nine cities in the Leningrad Region: Novaya Ladoga, Shlisselburg, Primorsk, Kirovsk, Volkhov, Nikolskoye, Vyborg, Sosnovy Bor, and Gatchina. SPbGASU students worked in mixed teams and contributed to the development of projects for several territories. Polina Kostrova, a second-year student in our university's Faculty of Architecture, was part of the team that took second place in the medium-sized cities (20,000 to 40,000 residents) category with a project to improve the town of Nikolskoye. The project was completed jointly with students from the St Petersburg State Forest Engineering University and the St Petersburg State University of Industrial Technologies and Design.
SPbGASU representatives also participated in developing concepts for other cities in the region. In particular, Daria Bedenko (second-year student of the Faculty of Architecture) worked on a project to renovate public spaces in Sosnovy Bor, modernizing existing structures while preserving their historical identity. Ekaterina Morozova (second-year student of the Faculty of Architecture) proposed a concept for developing a boulevard in Gatchina, timed to coincide with the centenary of the Leningrad Region, with the creation of themed public areas. Ksenia Fedosova (also a second-year Architecture student) participated in the design of the area, taking into account the complex terrain, proposing solutions to unlock the potential of the space.
The participants' projects are distinguished by their attention to historical context, a modern approach to urban design, and a focus on the residents' needs. Proposals include the creation of promenades, playgrounds, sports fields, amphitheaters, photo zones, as well as infrastructure development and improved transport accessibility.
The competition entries were evaluated by a jury consisting of representatives of the professional community and government agencies. Among them were Svetlana Golovina, SPbGASU First Vice-Rector; Aleksandr Demin, Acting Head of the Department of Landscape Architecture; and Nadezhda Kerimova, a graduate and former university lecturer.
Following the competition, the winners were awarded letters of gratitude from the Vice Governor of the Leningrad Region for Construction and Housing and Public Utilities.
