The search for mechanisms of interaction with universities is part of the policy of opennes and transparency that the Committee for Architecture and Urban Planning of Moscow pursues in order to maximize involvement of the professional community into the process. In the past academic year, together with the State Research and Design Institute for Urban Development of the City of Moscow, we decided to attract future architects, urban planners and designers — students of leading specialized universities — to work on the development of embankments of the River Moskva. The pilot project «My River» resulted in diverse and innovative students’ works, demonstrating various approaches towards research and formation of directions of urban planning development of the territory. This is an important undertaking, the results of which, I hope, will have a practical application.

Despite the fact that teams had only eight days (!) for creation of the concept, we were pleased with the high level of preparedness of students and depth of study of the material. Students performed field studies and photofixation of the area, delved into history of the place and its functional use, often very controversial. They came up with and formulated a concept for the development of territories in the near future, made good presentations, some even with animated videos. Students made quite adult suggestions to include new elements of capital improvement and pedestrian infrastructure into the current urban situation.

This is a very useful experience. As part of the project, students had a chance to see how other universities work, to exchange experience, learn something from each other. They demonstrated a nonconventional approach. For example, RANEPA students proposed a system of quays facing the water in different directions. MGSU students — a magic park on the bank of Khimki reservoir, which due to illumination in the evening gives visitors a dreamlike feeling, and students of State University of Land Use Planning - floating thematic islands connected by footpaths.

Nowadays the theme of capital improvement of the embankments has become more relevant for the city than ever. State Research and Design Institute for Urban Development of the city of Moscow together with the Committee for Architecture and Urban Planning of Moscow is implementing a strategically important project for the capital city on the formation of linear center of the city with a single standard for capital improvement along the entire length of the embankments. Employees of the institute during the period of their work with embankments have shown themselves as responsible and qualified specialists interested in the development of a modern comfortable urban environment. Projects such as «My River» help professionals to look at the territories with a different perspective, and students - to become professionals.