A laboratory for urban development is being established at a university in Nizhny Novgorod.

      October 10, 2025 18:59 Society

      In Nizhny Novgorod, a laboratory specializing in urban planning and geospatial analytics is being established at the Nizhny Novgorod State University of Architecture and Civil Engineering (NNGASU). The initiative is being implemented as part of a collaboration between the university and regional authorities. The corresponding agreement was signed by NNGASU rector Dmitry Shchegolev and the Minister of Urban Development and Agglomeration Development of the Nizhny Novgorod Region, Darya Shunaeva.

      The new entity will focus on developing analytical tools for spatial planning, optimizing traffic flows and land use, environmental monitoring, as well as forecasting infrastructure needs at both the city and regional levels.

      According to Darya Shunaeva, the laboratory will continue work begun in 2023 on the basis of a corporate department where the Ministry of Urban Development and Agglomeration Development, the Ministry of Construction, and the university’s faculty interact. Within this platform, students have the opportunity to participate in real projects, which helps make more accurate and well-founded decisions on territorial development.

      "We continue to use intellectual potential to implement the tasks set by the president and the government. Student laboratories are becoming an important tool that allows us to develop not only Nizhny Novgorod but also all key settlements in the region," the minister noted.

      The creation of the laboratory also supports the goals of the federal program "Professionalitet," part of the national project "Youth and Children." It is aimed at the comprehensive development of territories and the training of qualified personnel for the construction sector.

      Shchegolev emphasized that combining educational and research potential with the practical tasks of government agencies makes it possible to build a scientifically grounded urban development policy.

      Recall, the national project "Youth and Children" will start in 2025 at the direction of the President of Russia. It includes nine federal initiatives, among them "Russia — a Land of Opportunities," "All the Best for Children," "Universities for a Generation of Leaders," "Professionalitet," and others.

      It was previously reported that the development of the master plan for Nizhny Novgorod’s "Vodnik" stadium is almost complete.

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