2016-2017

Imeretinskaya lowland, Adler district, the city of Sochi

130 ha

Basic Element LLC

Higher School of Economics, Russia

In a competition sponsored by Basic Element Group and organised by Novaya, four international teams developed master plans for the Imeretinsky Resort in Sochi following the Olympic Games.

In addition to planning, the brief required complex engineering and economic analysis. The main goals were to preserve natural and Olympic legacies, enhance transit accessibility, and provide quality social infrastructure.

While all teams presented original planning solutions, MAXWAN, MASA architects, and Reserve won with their “walkable city” concept — a city built around a closed pedestrian loop that helps create thriving and dense urban spaces similar to those in Southern European resorts.

A jury of experts from around the world thoroughly scrutinised all proposals in making their decision.

The competition gave rise to a long-term collaboration between Basic Element Group and Novaya. In 2016 we developed a long-term development strategy for the group’s Imeretinsky Resort, in partnership with the Higher School of Economics National Research University.