Moscow - City on a Grand Scale

The 2015 IFLA (International Federation of Landscape Architects) World Council meeting (of which I'm the current New Zealand delegate) was held in Moscow, Russia.  This was my first trip to this vast country and that word itself epitomises the general impression - the skies, landscapes, forests, landmass, buildings and ideas combine to create a dramatic scale.

 There was of course the iconic and stunning Russian architecture of Red Square, but the big surprise in Moscow was the vervour in which local residents (and visitors alike) were celebrating the onset of spring. 

 This was evident at its most profound in the public parks which were packed full of people enjoying the first rays of sun from the intense, long and dark winter.

 Gorky Park, a huge heritage park (designed by Constantin Melnikov in 1928 - he was a constructivist architect - but its not very evident in the park) with a stunning new contemporary section created in 2011 is located on the river and near the massive sculpture of Peter the Great (see above - 98m high - I did say things were big here)!

 The contemporary area has some lovely boardwalk features - a necessity in the melted snow and inevitable water ponding of the Russian winter.

 Some lovely recreational features were located throughout the spaces for people to use - like these giant bean-bags.

 There were spaces for quiet contemplation near the water.

 For promenading by the river - with a riot of colour and perennial planting to give lightness and brightness to the short summer experienced in Russia.

 A truely lovely interactive water square was packed with children and adults alike having fun in the sun - its interesting how the notion of recreation can unite.

 I particularly liked the variety of spaces created throughout the park - something for everyone.

 And who would have thought a bunch of chains hanging from a beam would create quite such a stir with kids - it was a really fun tactile experience.

Bikes, scooters and skateboards were accommodated in innovative ways alongside paths.

All in all, the public spaces of Moscow were a delight and show that the global phenomenon of recreation has a profound impact on the way people interact and enjoy the landscapes around them.