Moscow Urban Forum 2019. It was nice to see the list of speakers, which consisted of representatives of global organizations such as OECD and UN-Habitat, as well as personalities and key players at the local level (local authorities, businessmen and startups, architects, concerned public figures, etc.). I would like to see such a diversity in the gender composition of the speakers, but alas ... this was told in more detail and passionately by my colleague - Madina Kabdualiyeva.

Personally, I was very impressed with the speeches of the mayor of Moscow - S. Sobyanin. S.  Speaking to a large audience, he never used the prepared recordings. It was obvious that all the information that he was talking about, he had processed through himself and he believed in what he was telling. As my mentor has noticed: what matters is not how grandiose things Moscow does for its development, it is important in what direction the authorities of this city think. "The existence of general plans, master plans of the city is useless without an idea. There is an idea - there is an understanding of what to do". (Sobyanin) This is saying a good deal.

One more speaker who impressed me with his ability to perform passionately and the breadth of thinking - Gil Penalosa.. Penalosa developed the concept of 8 80 cities: cities should be comfortable for both 8-year-olds and 80-year-olds. In this case, they will be comfortable for everyone. An available way to explain that the city should be comfortable for everyone, without exception.

Moscow itself was revealed in a very different way this time. Its scale is impressive. There is an active development that is felt. Dynamic streets and highways, small "friendly" lanes, majestic buildings, diverse and creative residents (it seems Moscow has gathered everyone), Nikolskaya Street, hung with" fairy-tale " lights - this is how I remember Moscow this time. An inscription on the wall in Petropavlovsky Lane imprinted itself in my mind: "How brightly shines your madness?"... As a tourist, I am happy:)

Many thanks to the CRC (Center for Research and Consulting) for this opportunity and for the company and beautiful photos to my colleagues :) credits Madina Kabdualiyeva