No 3 (61) (2023)

More than one third of Moscow City’s lands accrue to green open space, and the city rightfully regarded as one of the world’s most green places. Many Russian Capital’s streets are named by the green spaces or plant names. It’s now for over ten years that comprehensive efforts have been in train with the aim of beautifying and landscaping the city, restoring old parks, rivers’ floodplains and watercourses. About 950 city’s park territories and 104 water basins have been licked into shape by now. A vivid example of contemporary approach to landscaping and wildlife preservation within urban boundaries is served by the new “Yauza” park, one of the most extended such sites in Europe. Moscow Government endeavors to actively engage its citizens in care activities with regard to the city’s natural environment. It launches all sorts of ecological landscaping campaigns, organizes public polling on beautification projects, seeks to inform Muscovites as to its achievements in the city’s ecological status. At both authorities and citizen’s levels it is of major importance to bring the kind of attitude in the people to human activities, which would take account of our footprint over the environment.

One of the important touchstones for Moscow as economic, cultural, political, educational and research centers is sustainable development. The sustainability, however, can hardly be achieved if the city fails to provide comfort and security for its citizens. An important component of the urban environment is the city’s park territories that perform cultural, recreational and ecological functions. Thus, secure and comfortable parks environment becomes a matter of the city’s authorities special care. New digital technologies emerge that can reenforce the arsenal of means, which provide for the city’s comprehensive security. Infusion of innovative technologies represents one of the promising trends in city management, particularly in park territories management.

An ancient garden square at Miusskaya square has served as a recreational spot for local residents, as well as for students of several nearby universities. Originally Miusskiy square garden was built according to the contemporary style of the time – it was equipped with a playground after the latest fashion, electric street lights were set up, flowerbeds laid out and trees planted. In the middle of the XXth century the playground disappeared, even though the rest of the original historical planning was preserved. After 2010, as part of largescale construction works to develop Moscow’s city environment, the improvement of the city’s green territories began. A restoration project was developed and realized for Miusskiy square garden. In 2013 the spot obtained the status of a cultural heritage site, so any further landscaping projects here were bound to conform to that preservation status. At the same time, the need to preserve the historical spirit of the place has to be sought, which is embodied not only in the architectural and landscaping forms, but in a set of infrastructural elements as well. In its restored historical outfit, the Miusskiy square garden is going to be not only a green territory within a walking distance for local residents, but it will become generally a popular city attraction.

As of today Singapore can boast considerable expertise in state regulation of digital information systems and artificial intellect technologies. The main goals of that kind of activities are higher living standards of the citizens, optimization of business processes and spurring innovation. The Government of Singapore seeks to attract companies and private developers to produce and advance products based on innovative information technologies, carries the policy aimed at support of digital transformation. Russia-Singapore Business Council contributes towards strengthening mutual relations and exchange of best practices, including the setting up of information systems that employ big data and artificial intelligence management technologies.

Center for methodological and analytical support of personnel adaptation at Moscow Government has ever since 2022 been realizing the “Your City – Your Business” project aimed at support and motivation of new employees at Moscow Government organizations, in the form of a seminar & training. The classes are carried on a monthly basis and are meant for novel employees, whose working record at the organization spans from one to 90 days. The seminar & training is a live introductory meeting that is aimed at spurring employees’ inner desire to work in Moscow Government. The participants work in groups. To support them, a telegram channel is open, where motivational articles are being regularly posted, and a consultation by a specialist is available at any time too. The venue is Moscow’s Situational Center. The seminar & training has turned out to be an effective means of adaptation indeed. During classes newcomers begin to realize their involvement in sharing the values of the city, which has a beneficial effect on the Moscow Government teamwork.

Practice-oriented approach in training helps students to faster acquire knowledge and skills, which can be applied in practice right away. In 2023 specialists of “HR Services of Moscow Government” project developed a program for deputy Heads of Executive Councils in charge of public outreach, Deputy Heads of District Councils of settlements in New Moscow District and Heads of social and organizational Departments in Prefects’ Offices. Subject matter was organized with regard to practical needs of the trainees, and included real cases based on Executive Councils’ situations, practical classes of roleplaying with feedback from experts. Classes were held live using remote technologies. “Skills of an effective manager in territory management” Program consisted of three modules: “Moscow – the world’s best city. Specifics of realization of city projects and services”; “Legal aspects of managing territories with citizens’ engagement”; “Key skills of an effective manager to cater to the peoples’ needs.”

In the course of several decades ways and means of further sustainable development of humanity have been the focus of debate in the world. Cities are of crucial importance, as they are home for the main body of the Earth’s population. With developing sustainable strategies at the city or regional level in account should be taken territorial planning and staffing, ecological environment, economic climate, transportation infrastructure, the state of the communal social systems. The authors suggest that a comprehensive assessment should be made of the above elements while shaping the national system of assessment of sustainable development of Russian cities and territories.