Derbent Master PlanDerbent Master Plan

Typologies:

Cities and Agglomerations

Status:

Concept

Year:

2022

Location:

Russia, Derbent

Area:

6 963 ha

Works list:

Master plan

Analysis

Derbent is Russia's oldest city, a UNESCO site standing at the crossroads of trade routes between Europe and Asia. The city spreads into two wings southern and northern around its historic core, yet it has no access to the sea: the path is blocked by a railway line and haphazard development. The waterfront is the only link capable of connecting both wings and giving the city back its sea.

The key goal of the strategy is to unlock the city's waterfront potential by addressing three objectives: restoring the connection to the sea, making the shoreline the primary point of attraction, and launching a new tourism and recreation economy.

Water communication as a tool for influence and cooperation

Southern and northern wings of Derbent

Development of a city growth strategy a new maritime axis for Derbent, restoring the city's connection to the Caspian Sea and uniting its historical heritage, natural landscape, tourism and recreation economy with the rest of the city.

Positioning

Derbent's development strategy is built around three pillars — nature, culture, and people: the landscape creates space for the lives of residents, while residents preserve and develop the culture that attracts people from all over the world.

The embankment as a connecting link reveals this approach through five thematic routes inspired by the city's history as a crossroads of global trade routes. Each route establishes its own usage scenario, functional program, and design code for the coastal areas.

Design solutions

Night view of the city centerNew residential districtsGastromarketBoulevardsSports center

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The embankment as a unifying point of attraction for the entire city

Five themed routes revealing the city's history

Updated model of territory functioning

Fish market and restaurant

Conceptual scheme for the development of the coastline

The project takes into account the everyday routines of local communities, for whom the embankment remains part of their familiar way of life. For fishermen, quiet, narrow stretches of the shoreline are provided, set apart from the main tourist flows and suitable for comfortable fishing.

Landscaping regulations for areas designated for fishing

Construction management

The strategy envisions a system of regulations for the phased development of the coastline and the creation of a distinctive waterfront facade for Derbent.

The embankment area is divided into two project types, each with defined principles for building development, functional programming, and integration with the natural landscape.