On 20 November, 2025, the Saint Petersburg State University of Architecture and Civil Engineering has opened the LXXIX International Scientific and Practical Conference "Architecture – Construction – Transport – Economics".

Participants will discuss the development of architecture, construction, transport systems, urban planning, cultural heritage preservation, the use of modern materials and technologies, and the digital transformation of the industry.

Opening the conference, Evgeny Korolev, SPbGASU Vice Rector for Research, welcomed the participants and noted the event's importance for the development of the professional and scientific community. He emphasized that industry specialists require no further proof of the importance of architecture, construction, and transportation for the country's development.

Evgeny Korolev noted that the scientific event once again brought together a broad professional community—over 700 participants from 38 Russian regions and friendly countries—and emphasized the role of the 17 scientific sections where research results will be presented. He paid special attention to the implementation of artificial intelligence in industry-specific research, noting its relevance in light of recent government initiatives in this area.

The Vice-Rector thanked his partners—the Russian Engineering Academy and the Russian Academy of Architecture and Construction Sciences—and his information partners—the leading scientific and technical journals Industrial and Civil Engineering and the Construction Materials, which is celebrating its 70th anniversary.

Dmitry Shvidkovsky, President of the Russian Academy of Architecture and Construction Sciences, congratulated the university on the opening of the conference and emphasized the long-standing and fruitful ties between the architectural schools of St Petersburg, Moscow, and other regions.

In his address, he noted that such conferences are of fundamental importance for the development of science and the professional environment, since it is scientific dialogue that shapes the direction of industry development.

Aleksey Mikhailov, Chairman of the Committee for State Control, Use, and Protection of Historical and Cultural Monuments of St Petersburg, thanked SPbGASU for training specialists needed in the field of cultural heritage preservation.

He discussed in detail the state task of restoring over a thousand cultural heritage sites and noted the challenges in implementing this program. Aleksey Mikhailov pointed to the acute shortage of restoration engineers and specialists skilled in historical technologies, as well as the importance of a thorough engineering and infrastructural analysis of the sites.

He expressed confidence that the conference would discuss solutions to pressing issues in the field of cultural heritage preservation.

Deputy Chairman of the St Petersburg Construction Committee Valery Uskov emphasized the importance of the conference as a platform for bringing together professionals and noted the city administration's interest in its results.

"Saint Petersburg is a city with a unique architectural heritage and ambitious development plans. That's why the ideas and research presented at the conference are crucial for shaping future urban policy," said Valery Uskov, noting the construction industry's leading position in the city's economy and wishing the participants fruitful discussions.

Elena Kramskova, Deputy Chair of the St Petersburg Committee for Urban Development and Architecture, congratulated the participants and reminded them that the city approved a new general plan last year and is currently working on land use and development regulations. "In this regard, the Committee highly values ​​the scientific ideas and proposals generated by the professional community," said Elena Kramskova, noting the importance of training new specialists. "The decisions made during the conference are directly relevant to the city's sustainable development."

The conference also received greetings and congratulations from the following experts:

• Boris Gusev, President of the Russian Academy of Engineering;
• Denis Udod, Chairman of the St Petersburg Housing Committee;
• Yuri Grudin, President of the Union of Construction Companies "Soyuzpetrostroy";
• Aleksandr Vikhrov, Member of the NOPRIZ Council;
• Mikhail Mamoshin, General Director of the Mamoshin Architectural Workshop and Honored Architect of Russia.

Following the welcoming addresses, participants were presented with scientific reports on modern approaches to urban development, the implementation of digital technologies, innovations in the construction industry, strategic territorial development, and improving the quality of the living environment.

After the plenary session, the conference program continued with visits to thematic exhibitions dedicated to the university's history and research areas. Participants viewed the exhibition "Architecture and construction craftsmanship: scientific publications and creative projects of the 17th–19th centuries from the collection of the Institute of Civil Engineers" at the SPbGASU Scientific and Technical Library, as well as the exhibition "History of SPbGASU" at the university's History Information Center.

The conference will continue on 21 November.