Privatisation. The contribution of large business to culture revival.

On the eve of privatisation (1993) Petersburg was capital of communal flats. Their exact quantity already not to establish, since the statistics about it long time for some reason was considered confidential and it was not given for researches. Experts in this question name an indicator: 40 % from all available housing. Thus 40 % from what particularly - square metres, quantity of communal flats, houses in which there are such "socialism birthmarks" or from something else are not clear? Another is authentically known: in the centre in communal flats during this period lived 80 % of the population of a city. Thus thousand five houses in "old" Petersburg in general lay almost in ruins. In this situation the privatisation declared suddenly (a private property on objects of the real estate) it is serviceable katalizirovala "Great moving" which occurred in a city throughout 1990.

To turns on apartment turns on privatisation are added. It is authorised to privatise for money or it is free. Instantly there are an underground brokers driven at the Soviet power as mushrooms after a rain grow rieltorskie firms. The first agency of the real estate in Petersburg - "the House Plus" has appeared in 1991 (in 1998 it has stopped the existence).
For 1996 (under the certificate of the chief of the department of that time on public relations of Housing Committee of the mayoralty of St.-Petersburg of A.D.Bespalov) in a city there were 13 % of communal flats. Besides 13 % from what (metric area, quantity of apartments, houses) - are not known.
When the global outcome from public beehives and their transformation into the personal nests has begun, the first had been completely settled on a facade Taurian street (Slutsky). The officials who had of business with businessmen, and the businessmen who had of business with officials, - totally making oligarchy became new tenants of this most fashionable in 1990th of a Petersburg avenue.
The apartments, which size began from 150-180 sq. m (as, for example, magnificent houses of the beginning of the century on the Kamennoostrovsky prospectus) in 1990 still frightened of complexity of moving. In 2000th the situation was changed - there were rich men whom began to "clean" on a pocket and the centre. This circumstance has allowed to form subsequently in such houses the most homogeneous structure of new owners. (Now to find an is convincing-colourful plot about a densely populated communal flat, usual for early 1990 when in one apartment at a fireplace the girl plays a flute, in a hall drive a ball the old man with a dog, the little son of the supervisor of "Crosses" is frightened plaster ushastyh fishes on a ceiling, and red povariha "in hair curlers" boils in a pan linen and informs rare mucks about all set forth above, - already hardly it will be possible. There, where there is no time municipal passions boiled, oak arches are restored, noodles of an oil paint are removed from the fish ears, and konserzh bow to the businessman with an opera surname).

New building sites in the early nineties in Petersburg has not appeared, but started social repartition of old areas - each of them fulfilled the version of a social equality. However sights at what should be good habitation, quickly varied. So, the agiotage apropos "Black small river", "centre", a fashion on Stalin domostroj on the Moscow prospectus and association of apartments (when rich epoch of crimson jackets and liquor "Amaretto" bought up apartments packs and united them across and verticals while business did not rest against any channel on which as it appeared, there was all house) has run low. Gradually new settlers with money have come to necessity not privatisations of apartments, as that, and to creation kondominiumov (associations of proprietors of habitation).
Occurrence (not only in Petersburg, but also on all country) categories of persons without a certain residence (VAGABONDS) - the people quite often strongly drinking, lost any habitation owing to frauds of unfair businessmen and agencies became a privatisation by-effect. Square metres have become the running goods, and trade in them - very profitable employment. (Thus the real estate market remains till now to one of the most wild markets in Post-Soviet Russia). The deceit is perceived, as the business synonym when from risk to be "thrown" is not insured anybody. Murder on purpose otyoma apartments strongly is included into the criminal chronicle and plots of teleserials.
For years of Yeltsin reforms the opinion on how it is necessary to develop to Petersburg was generated. There was a concept:" Peter tvorene "should be transformed into a modern European city, but thus to keep aroma muzejnosti. After 1998 when the country has recovered from a default marking end of a primary stage of accumulation and distribution of the capital, has come it is time so-called ambitious projects - buildings every possible business, trading, entertaining and so forth centres, in an appearance of skyscrapers" a-lja New York ". According to town-planning officials and architects vtykanie such"chisels"in an architectural landscape of a city has for an object to give lacking to it"evropejskost"and to inform the present. Their joint efforts developed the style of the Petersburg architecture estimated by experts as symbiosis of a mimicry under the city environment and rough intrusion into ensembles of the past. (Some of examples - novodely on a Manezhnaya Square, opposite to the Mihajlovsky lock). Not casually academician D.S. Lihachyov in the last interview published posthumously in "the Moscow news", has stated idea that the soul has left Petersburg and now lives in a province where inspirituality and moral degradation is less felt.
The developed practice of substitution of the authentic environment by fake stylisations interferes with occurrence in a city really qualitative, conformable to the architecture present. Opinion of outstanding figures of culture about it, without speaking about ordinary Petersburgers, in attention, naturally, is not accepted. (A bright example - polemic round a building Gazprom-city, due to arise in 2010 near by at Smolnogo of a cathedral. And though the city authorities assure the concerned public that the given project de not to be co-ordinated yet, most likely, to next "probe" in a historical part of Petersburg - on pleasure radejushchim about the European standardization). Thus, without looking on and without that intensive rates of increase in the given sphere the city authorities in 2007 plan to "tighten" building of large objects of the commercial real estate.

As to the constructions of noncommercial need necessary for satisfaction of social or cultural requirements of a great bulk of the population about what or considerable achievements to speak, alas, it is not necessary - it is too a little constructed on this profile. From the large carried out projects it is possible to name only new building of the Russian national library on the Moscow prospectus (this sample of long-term construction have started to erect in 1974; its first stage has been handed over in January, 1998, and on May, 27th the same year all building) and "the Ice palace", obliged by the occurrence to the decision of the international Federation of Hockey and the Government of the Russian Federation on World championship carrying out on hockey in 2000 in St.-Petersburg has been solemnly opened.
Building of this multi-purpose sports-entertaining complex named from an easy hand of newsdealers "the Ice palace", was developed on boggy waste ground opposite to the underground "Prospectus of Bolsheviks" since spring of 1999 the Erected building occupies territory in 35 hectares (contains 12 000 spectators); in it the universal transformed arena is equipped, the concert sound system with the account of the newest world workings out is introduced; the first class lighting equipment, etc. technical innovations is established. (Outside round glazed with a flat dome "the Ice palace, reminds Hartvoll-arena in Helsinki). Thus building possibilities are focused not only on sports actions of the international level, here too it is possible to hold concerts, exhibitions, ice shows, conferences. Complex occurrence in the housing estate centre involves variety of changes in area registration: Arrangement of quay of the river Okkervil, construction of automobile and foot bridges. So, in territory adjoining to "Palace" the shopping centre, multilevel garages, hotels, parking places, shops, restaurants, cafe, etc. objects already are constructed.
On a boundary of millenia in Petersburg housing construction, but not typical for ordinary "scoops", as in 1960-1980, and elite, i.e. focused under inquiries of individuals with means (a total area of apartment from 50 to 250 sq. m, a non-standard lay-out, some bathrooms grows; in the house underground garage, video observation system, konserzh and so forth essential components of a residential building "for rich"). The first buildings of such plan have appeared on the Petrograd party in the late nineties. And in 2002-2003 in a city the present building boom (and today rates of building activity remain high) is fixed. Thus elite building is conducted frequently by barbarous enough methods.

The widespread scheme of actions is that: new cases-vysotki squeeze into already developed complex of building, is frequent on the place which has been taken away under a kindergarten, or for the account otkusa vital metres of space from a platform for games or square (which the builder consider exclusively as "free stains of building"); the distance between new and old houses as a result appears no more than 3-4 m. And new houses implant not only in the prestigious centre, but also in spacious sleeping areas (besides in the built up, rendered habitable complexes).

Such erection of habitation "for the elite" creates to its compelled neighbours numerous nothing compensated inconveniences: before the light court yard turns to a gloomy well, the communications, calculated a maximum on a planned kindergarten, demand additional capacities (to provide a water pressure on the top floors, absence of electrooverloads), and "old" tenants are henceforth doomed to existence at densely closed curtains. Besides the similar building listed by rather widespread consequence land subsidence which, in turn, causes occurrence of cracks in houses adjoining to a building site is.
Besides, not a rarity when process of building since doing not wish to be reconciled with deterioration of habitual living conditions tenants became a headache also bring an action against the organisations conducting construction, and on general customers. (In each area of Petersburg judicial bodies consider similar claims of tenants). Those, in turn, to have time to hand over the house to a judgement, build hastily - in 3 changes, i.e. cranes round the clock gnash, trucks increase speed, blind a projector etc. For example, one of set of the "elite" constructions erected by similar way - a complex from 3 cases on the Education prospectus (near to the house № 75) became a subject of attention of the Petersburg press. In Petrograd area the next elite house hardly was it was not rubbed on a place of the square created by scientist-gardener R.F.Kattserom - the author of such masterpieces, as a garden at Smolnogo, parkway on the Big prospectus of Vasilevsky island, square at the Kazan cathedral. (The square managed to be defended thanks to persistence of inhabitants of Petrograd area: struggle against city administration lasted 2 years).
Answers of administrations of governors (at first Jakovleva, then Matvienko) on complaints and claims of the tenants revolted with a "building" arbitrariness enviably are constant: new houses are necessary to a city, and conservative citizens show resistance.

However elite buildings, certainly, has the pluses - construction of such objects stimulates development of a city infrastructure, an accomplishment of adjoining territories (let even it is frequent also compulsory) - breakdown of beds, lawns, repair of roads, moshchenie sidewalks, maintenance of serviceable illumination of court yard, etc.
From the realised projects of last years (2005-2006) best recognise constructed in ecologically safe areas of Petersburg the new inhabited quarters to the full embodying the European representations about a comfortable life: "New Scandinavia" - in a valley of the Suzdal lakes (20-30 minutes of driving from city centre: transport availability is provided with specially constructed access road - continuation of the Suzdal prospectus, connecting "New Scandinavia" with the Vyborg highway) and "the Live spring" - at mountain Poklonnoj near to park "Sosnovka". Their houses floors have at 12-25 following characteristics: 1-8 room apartments - from 44 to 250 sq. m; kitchens - from 11 to 25 sq. m; windows with two-chamber double-glazed windows and consolidation system; underground garages for cars of tenants; on the ground floors of buildings - premises of commercial appointment (shops, banks, the enterprises of sphere of service, etc.).
One of examples of successful elite building - an inhabited complex in the Italian street (2005, arh.: M.Rejnberg, A.Sharov), considered by experts, as interesting, though also disputable. The architecture of this structure skilfully masks its extent on 7 floors, without considering attika that provides the old centre of Petersburg with a precious floor space, without dominating over other constructions. The building has classical proportions, as well as earlier constructions adjoining to it. Before a complex at an input the garden concentrated round a monument of I.S.turgenevu is broken.

For satisfaction of housing needs of the simple (needy) mortal reconstruction of a housing estate of mass series is planned. A range of approximate decisions - from a housebreaking with the subsequent building in the released territory of the buildings meeting modern requirements, to a basic change of available building by transformation become outdated morally and technically 5-etazhek Khruschev's tailoring in 7-9-floors structures.
As a result of officially propagandised and encouraged bent for to conformity to the western standards, by 2000 "Europe" invisibly is present at any activity on city transformation. Judging by estimations of the townspeople, all space of the historical centre of Petersburg became in some measure "European" or "nedoevropejskim", "maloevropejskim", "bad European", etc. Of the notorious European standard reminds and word often used in a press "accomplishment". However innovations are in this respect limited to creation of foot zones, fountains-spheres, packing of streets trotuarnoj a tile and installation of a modern sculpture.
Foot zones - one of visible signs of new Petersburg. The first this European "innovation" had been paved the Small street Konjushennaja which has become 02.09.1997 also by pioneer especially of the pedestrian movement (soon it have christened Petersburg Arbatom). The mayor of Moscow J.Luzhkov, examining this peshtrassu during one of the visits to a city of three revolutions, has authoritatively declared that the tile by which Small Konjushennaja is covered, is made under the European standards.

By the tradition established in our country change of a political mode almost always is accompanied in it by ruthless negation created by the previous generations and inquisitorial planting of new ideals. Democrats have gone some other way. Having reconsidered the Lenin thesis "better less yes it is better", blagoustroiteli new time have solved: it is more better, let is worse. Also have begun to flood systematically a city raznofakturnymi sculptures somehow to compensate lost for years of the Soviet power monuments of different advantage. There are bronzovo-fake clones - ostapy, policemen, photographers, etc. "samples" of a modern city sculpture.
As usual, thought up in St. Petersburg, then quickly extends as "good form" on all country: the analogues cast from bronze anonymous carriers of craft or an animal are present at an accomplishment order on foot zones in Kazan, Ekaterinburg, etc. cities of Russia.
Along with scale monuments naksitrallej monuments-colossuses are established also. For example, megaliticheskaja a sculpture "Oarsman" (the author M.Kaminker) - the huge sculpture combined from roughly processed granite blocks, affirmed on the bank of Shuvalovsky lake in May, 2003
With 1991 on 2007 in a city are established: N.V.Gogol's monument (on Small Konjushennoj), S.A.Yesenin's monument (in the Taurian garden), A.M.Gorchakovu's bust (in Aleksandrovsk to a garden), a monument to marshal L.A.Govorovu (at the Narva gate), a monument to marshal G.K.Zhukov (in the Moscow park of the Victory), D.D.Shostakovich's bust (about the house № 27 on Kronverksky street), I.E.Repin and V.I.Surikovu's busts (in a Rumjantsevsky garden), F.M.Dostoevsky's monument (in parkway of the Big Moscow street with an exit on the Vladimir area), A.A.block's monument (in a court yard of the St.-Petersburg University, near to rektorskim the case) a sculptural composition of memory of soldiers-Afghans (on the Serafimovsky cemetery), a monument "Tsar-carpenter" (on the Admiralty quay; it is a copy of a sculpture of L.Bernstama, before revolution facing to one of Admiralty pavilions, and in 1919 Dismantled and sent in a meltdown), a monument pervostroiteljam Petersburg (in a garden about the Sampsonievsky cathedral) and a memorial to "Victims of political reprisals" (on quay Robespera) - both monuments of work of M.Shemjakina, a sculpture "the Nose of major Kovalyova" R.Gabriadze's works (it is established on the house № 1 under the prospectus Roman-korsakova), a monument to Alexander III (it is established in a court yard of the Marble palace on a pedestal on which earlier there was a Lenin armored car), etc.
Thanks to anniversary celebrations of 2003 (and to the enormous means allocated for it) with merchant scope it has been restored over 300 monuments of architecture of old Petersburg and its suburbs. So hands, at last, have reached the Konstantinovsky Palace in Strelne - before one of the most thrown sights of Northern capital. (Only on restoration of this object which has turned to president residence of Russia, it has been spent 6,6 billion rbl.).
In connection with the 300 anniversary of a city marked as world scale event, have been executed numerous restoration, reconstruction and blagoustroitelnye works, including: the temple of Spasa on Blood (the temple is opened as a museum) is opened after long restoration; restoration of a chariot of Glory on the General staff arch (however in a New Year's eve 2000-2001 from the started petard there was a fire of the woods surrounding sculptural group therefore the Glory figure has become unfit for use also it it was necessary to make anew) is finished, the Arena on University quay is restored; repair of horse groups on Anichkovom to the bridge and caryatids in House VNIGRI (Foundry avenue, 39) is carried out; bridge Demidov's restoration through Griboedov's channel is finished. (The external shape of the bridge is kept); The Arrow of Vasilevsky island is reconstructed, is carried out moshchenie and illumination of the Neva prospectus, Palace Square, are arranged well court yard along the Neva prospectus, the area of Arts, foot streets: 6th and 7th lines of Vasilevsky island, Small Konjushennaja, the Small Garden, Hay area. (In order potentially the most visit first of all have been put in days of celebrations areas and quarters).

The holiday passed, and protection of historical surroundings of a city on Neva more and more gets disturbing lines of the Moscow practice which, as a rule, is reduced to "zachistke" constructions-originals and to erection on the same place "exactly in exactly same". So, if in sight falling old house - almost for certain nearby next "defender" erects "true Petersburg" the house with underground garage.
After in 2005 on the Foundry prospectus the house № 26 has been rented, the next building № 24 (known as the house of Muruzi in which there lived Z.Gippius, D.Merezhkovsky, I.Brodsky, etc. the well-known art workers in a Russian history) has literally tilted - these houses have been constructed so that hung together. The crack which is passing on all facade, has separated one entrance from the others, and the ground has started to be pushed out in the free party in the absence of pressure of from outside rented houses № 26. The city authorities have declared that nobody gave permissions to a pulling down - "good" was only on dismantling of emergency overlappings and facade restoration. The builder - company "Adamant" has taken down the house № 26, intending by 2008 to build on its place 4-stars hotel.
Meanwhile, some representatives of large business consider as the debt to revive spiritual culture - restore or build temples. So, FPG "the Baltic Building Company" ("BSK") has restored not one ten churches, chasoven and cathedrals. Among them: a chapel kn. Vladimir on Vasilevsky island and arhistratiga Michael in street Rastannoj, the Post house of the Sofia cathedral in Pushkin. In 2003 "BSK" has started to build a chapel on the Troitsk area - on a place of the Troitsk cathedral taken down in 1933. The new chapel is less than original: its area - 100 sq. m, and height of 15-18 m.