Future slums

Sometimes during my regular walks around the town I discover such unforgettable places that make me wonder: is this the capital of our country? They look like small abandoned boxes with broken walls and destroyed roof. So far tourists do not only visit the center of our town. Sometimes they do visit remote “sightseeing”. After returning home, they start writing long stories in their blogs about a poor, landlocked, mountainous country they have visited.

And now come joyful news: town-planning council approved a sketch on development of the central part of the city provided by Bishkek architecture department. The area encircles the section from Gogol Street up to Erkindik Boulevard along Chui Street. Of course, not too much but already something. The miniature of our future “city” presents us modern buildings. But what we are to see in reality? Will we manage to put into practice everything what designers presented to us?

Let's make the venture and disclose some facts: business-centers stand two steps aside from small and old houses. The very building can not be removed and destroyed as it has high architectural merit. I can only imagine the moods of the inhabitants of this small building close to this skyscraper.

Moreover, neither the visitors of the republic nor locals will ever see Shopokov Street as it used to be. The project provides a new look for it – the street will be locked from both sides and the developers will turn it into some kind of a park zone with fountains or even flower beds.

Another interesting place on the sketch – a building with a book shape east of the Central Store. Interesting is that it won’t remove an old fountain and the trees but only a new center built two years ago. Anyway architectural concept still strikes almost everyone who ever saw it. Although those people who call for a civilized face of the town would probably enjoy this idea.

But wait, there are so many sites for construction in Bishkek. For example, long-term construction opposite to the Central Store (in fact it was not taken into account by the developers of the project) or abandoned foundation area near the Victory Square. Why not to build new building over there? But not, we must broke old historical building in exchange for new ones. The designers believe we want to see fifty- storeyed skyscraper, according to the sketch, between the monument to Urkuya Salieva and Bayalinov library. And nowhere else. Let’s say goodbye to our beloved chats-in in this place.

These ideas – skyscraper – amazes with its “wisdom”! Where would the drivers park their vehicles if even now Bishkek experiences acute shortage of parking zones? I suppose they expect us to take bicycle as Chinese do. If only they suggested the construction of a multi-storeyed parking, then the idea with the skyscraper may seem quite reasonable.

Besides, they should deal with settlements encircled the city. That is the place where we need such high-rise buildings. Then we would not damage the historical center of our country.

So, the sketch presented by the designers, apparently, appeared to be poorly developed. They took only decorations and tried to make the town look different. However, none of the investors would ever pay for such sketch even in successful Switzerland! I believe our architects are better to play the Sim City game – it undoubtedly helps people clearly understand town planning strategy. While, presented sketch leaves much to be desired.