December 16, 2013

The international project "Wooden architecture in the cultural landscape: the challenges of modern times" has been launched in Kenozersky National Park (Arkhangelsk region, Russia). The preservation of the traditional historical building, which is a genuine value of the national park, is the main theme of the project.   Rulemaking of land use for the two villages located within the national park are stipulated by the project. These document will regulate how new rustic homes would look like. Training for local residents and authorities are provided by the project. Local residents can familiarize themself with the experience of cultural heritage implemented in Europe, functional operations of child carpenter’s school, arrangement of rural farmstead, take part in seminars and conferences.

Protection of traditional building and landscapes associated with it is particularly important because Kenozersky National Park actively works to put its territory on the World Heritage List of UNESCO.

Director of Kenozero National Park  Elena Shatovskaya said: “It is important to draw up rules of land use and site development. If we do not have regulatory frameworks, our recommendations on the architectural appearance of villages will remain only recommendations.  Of course, it does not mean that everyone should live in gray log huts or we must ban modern constructional materials usage. Nevertheless we need clear criteria for construction within unique areas such as Kenozero and Lekshmozero. The new rules of land use and construction based  on the Town-Planning Code of the Russian Federation will spell out building maximum height,  roof pitches and so on. Standard housing schemes designed by professional architects will be as an obligatory annex to the document. This will be combination of schematic designs that can be varied creatively. Standards to construction of large villages will be differ from ones for small towns.”  

The project provides several activities for three years. It is implemented with financial support from the European Union and the Moscow fund “Support of wooden architecture”. The National Park “Ugra” (Kaluga region, RF), which like Kenozersky National Park engages in a comprehensive protection of cultural landscapes, and Ukrainian Museum of Folk Architecture and Life “Pirogovo” are other partners.

http://www.mnr.gov.ru/news/detail.php?ID=132068