safari by design michael lorentz

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Michael Lorentz Inducted into Worldwide Who’s Who

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Mr. Lorentz’s experience helps him to provide unforgettable execursions

CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA, January 30, 2013, Michael Lorentz, Chief Executive Officer of Safarious Inc. and Passage to Africa, has been recognized by Worldwide Who’s Who for showing dedication, leadership and excellence in tourism.

From an early age Mr. Lorentz was taken by the beauty and majesty of the African wilderness. He knew that if he were to be truly happy, his life and work would have to involve that wilderness and the multitude of wildlife it contained. His first step in accomplishing this goal came at the Timbavati Game Reserve in his home country of South Africa. There Mr. Lorentz was able to study under the legendary tracker Jack Matabula.

Next, Mr. Lorentz moved to Botswana and became the assistant general manager of the safari company Gametrackers. This position led to a role as managing director of Elephant Back Safaris, which gave him a great deal of managerial experience as well as the opportunity to work closely with the animals that he is most passionate about. 

Finally, Mr. Lorentz was ready to take the next step in his career when he moved back to South Africa and took an executive position with Passage to Africa, a company that arragnes pan-African travel for guests seeking both guided and independent experiences. In taking control of the company, Mr. Lorentz intended to offer previously unreachable portions of the African wilderness to a new generation of adventurers. Thanks to Mr. Lorentz’s extensive experience and eye for detail, guests could be sure that they would have a safe, responsible and thrilling experience.

Mr. Lorentz also started Safarious, an interactive community that uses web-based tools to unite serious wilderness professionals with curious adventurers. The goal is to grow Safarious and have it become the defining online platform for wild places.

In addition to his to work with Passage to Africa and Safarious, Mr. Lorentz is an award-winning photographer with numerous publications to his name and a retrospective of his work at the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History. He is also highly sought after as a consultant and has managed several developments related to ecotourism throughout the continent.

For more information about Safarious, visit www.safarious.com/en .

About Worldwide Who’s Who© With over 500,000 members representing every major industry, Worldwide Who’s Who is a powerful networking resource that enables professionals to outshine their competition, in part through effective branding and marketing. Worldwide Who’s Who employs similar public relations techniques to those utilized by Fortune 500 companies, making them cost-effective for members who seek to take advantage of its career enhancement and business advancement services.

Worldwide Who’s Who membership provides individuals with a valuable third-party endorsement of their accomplishments, and gives them the tools needed to brand themselves and their businesses effectively. In addition to publishing biographies in print and electronic form, it offers an online networking platform where members can establish new professional relationships.

For more information, please visit http://www.worldwidewhoswho.com.

• Ellen Campbell
• Director, Media Relations
• Worldwide Who's Who
• Email: [email protected]

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Thursday, 2 October 2014

IN CHAD’S DRY SEASON, THE WATERS OF ZAKOUMA ATTRACT A VERITABLE NOAH’S ARK OF ANIMALS

Renowned safari guide Michael Lorentz has been immersing guests in the wildlife lore of Africa for 26 years. He is always in search of authentic experiences and he has taken this to new levels in Chad’s Zakouma National Park , a place he now ranks as his favourite destination. Many of Africa’s safari operators cater for the luxury market, but as Lorentz points out, ‘To truly appreciate the wonder of the wilderness, one needs the luxury of just “being”. It is a surprisingly rare luxury in today’s over-regulated safari world, and therefore all the more special when indulged. Sitting for hours at the waterholes of Zakouma, as a Noah’s Ark of animals and birds came to drink and socialise, fulfilled a lifetime of longing for being a part of a natural whole.’ And so we bring you a few images of that ark, taken by Michael down by the waterside of Zakouma.

Nothing stops these white-faced whistling ducks and Defassa waterbuck from getting a drink, not even the obvious threat of crocodiles. ©Michael Lorentz

Northern carmine bee-eaters commonly nest on the Zakouma’s river banks. ©Michael Lorentz

A Buffon’s Kob tentatively makes its way to the waterside, while northern carmine bee-eaters can be seen at their nests which they have excavated in the river bank. ©Michael Lorentz

Young baboons at play. ©Michael Lorentz

A leopard makes his way to the waterside flanked by yellow-billed storks. ©Michael Lorentz

A pair of red-throated bee-eaters with a freshly caught moth. ©Michael Lorentz

A baboon mother, infant clutching her chest, dashes away from a male. ©Michael Lorentz

African catfish, or barbel as they are better known, populate a muddy pool. ©Michael Lorentz

A hammerkop goes fishing for smaller fare amid the gaping mouths of barbels. ©Michael Lorentz

Vervet monkeys keep a wary eye on the horizon as they take a drink. ©Michael Lorentz

Lelwel hartebeests stop in their tracks as they spot the photographer. ©Michael Lorentz

An Abyssinian roller feeds in a muddy patch. ©Michael Lorentz

A lion at a fresh kill buffalo kill. ©Michael Lorentz

Thousands of red-billed quelea take flight. ©Michael Lorentz

Black crowned cranes depart the waterside before a setting sun. ©Michael Lorentz

MICHAEL LORENTZ is passionate about wildlife, wilderness and elephants in particular. Born in South Africa, he knew early that his true vision and happiness would lie in Africa’s wild places. A passionate and award-winning photographer, Michael’s work has been featured in several publications, as well as at the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History in Washington DC. Having guided for 26 years, this remains his first professional love, conducting safaris throughout Southern, East and Central Africa.

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We're an eclectic pack of safari experts, storytellers, admin and tech nerds and digital natives whose sole mission is celebrating Africa and doing good. We do this by creating life-changing, responsible safaris just for you, publishing informative, factual articles about Africa's incredible natural wonders and raising donations for worthy causes. This MANIFESTO explains our approach to travel and conservation.

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Michael Lorentz

Michael Lorentz is passionate about wildlife, the wilderness and elephants in particular. He was born in South Africa, and knew from an early age that his true vision and happiness in life would lie in the playgrounds of the African wilderness. His bush career started in 1985 in the Timbavati Game Reserve in South Africa where he trained under the legendary tracker, Jack Matabula.

Botswana called in 1986 and became his home for the next fifteen years, firstly as Assistant General Manager of the well-known safari company, Gametrackers; and then as Managing Director of the renowned Elephant Back Safaris and Abu Camp where he was instrumental in creating and managing the lodge, its resident elephant herd and half a million acres of pristine Okavango delta.

In early 2000 Michael moved back to South Africa and joined forces with Mike Kirkinis to develop and expand Passage To Africa. He now lives in Cape Town with his family, and as managing partner steers the Passage to Africa ship.

He is heavily involved in ecotourism consulting and has project-managed numerous developments across the continent. He remains instrumental in developing the private guiding industry, perpetually striving to establish strong industry standards; whilst forging access into remote and unspoilt areas, providing his guest with a rare and utterly private wilderness experience.

Michael is a passionate and award-winning photographer whose work has been featured in several publications, as well as at the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History in Washington, DC. His knowledge of photography combined with his deep understanding of animal behaviour adds a further dimension to his guided safaris as he aids guests in the shot-and-capture of that elusive image.

Having guided for 26 years, this remains his first professional love and he personally conducts privately guided safaris throughout Botswana, Zambia, South Africa, Namibia, Uganda, Rwanda and East Africa. Whilst Michael is a pan-African specialist, he works closely with expert guides in other wilderness areas worldwide, and arranges trips beyond Africa’s shores that could be ticked-off on many a bucket-list, including Antarctica and the Galapagos.

An accomplished naturalist and committed conservationist, Michael provides his guests with a dazzling insight into the intricacies of Africa’s wilderness. In the words of a guest, “Michael does not take you for a walk in the African bush; rather he takes you for a walk with it. Until you have experienced the contrast, you won’t know what I am talking about. But believe me; it makes – quite literally – the world of difference. I saw, heard, smelt, touched and even tasted an Africa that I, a son of the continent, never knew was there.”

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Michael Lorentz

Photographic Areas of Focus

Nature, People, Travel, Wildlife

South Africa

From insatiably curious child to professional guide, Michael Lorentz has never wavered in his dedication to and passion for Africa’s wilderness. Michael is one of the industry’s leaders in arranging, planning and guiding pan-African travel. An accomplished naturalist and committed conservationist, guiding remains his focus and he personally leads safaris throughout Southern, East and Central Africa, providing his safari guests with a dazzling insight into the intricacies of Africa’s wilderness. With close on 40 years of experience guiding across much of Africa, he has in-depth knowledge, a highly-developed network, and access to extraordinary experiences, so he can plan and implement the very best curated safaris imaginable. Many great guides are country – even area – specialists, but Michael is one of the few pan-African specialists, so his guests can stick pins on the map of Africa in places where few others can. Michael remains instrumental in developing the private guiding industry, perpetually striving to establish strong industry standards; whilst forging access into remote and un-spoilt areas. Michael is a pioneer at the intersection of travel, conservation and philanthropy, and a catalyst enabling access to wild places in ways that few others can. Michael works closely with numerous Conservation organizations, including African Parks, the Ellen Fund, the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund, the Big Life Foundation and Natural Capital, to both raise awareness and direct funding to some of the most effective conservations projects on the continent. He sits on the advisory for Natural Capital: https://www.naturalcapital.earth/ Michael was actively involved in helping African Parks establish Camp Nomade in Chad’s Zakouma National Park. One of Africa’s least known yet finest safari destinations. Zakouma epitomises Michael’s desire to change the trajectory of Africa’s conservation narrative from one of doom and gloom, to one of inspiration. “The thrill of discovering Africa’s wildest places, sharing them with global change makers, and contributing to conservation success stories such as African Park’s Zakouma – the epitome of abundance – is why I couldn’t do anything else.” Bringing the same guiding principles of respect, empathy, intuition and understanding to his other passion, photography, Michael has been able to bring us closer to the natural world, and in so doing uses his lens to showcase critical conservation initiatives. His work has been featured in several publications, as well as in the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History in Washington DC On 2012 Michael co-founded Safarious, the global online platform for those both serious and curious about the world’s wild places and has been frequently named to the Travel and Leisure A-List of Top Travel Agents and as a Conde Nast Traveler Top Travel Specialist since 2014.

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Everything You Thought You Knew About Safari Is Wrong

By Paul Brady , Stephen Orr , Maria Shollenbarger , and John Wogan

Photography by Adrian Gaut

Maybe you considered it too expensive, too time-consuming, too difficult to plan...a once-in-a-lifetime trip that you kept putting off until, well, never. But the truth is that there’s never been a better or easier moment to take a safari. Here are six of the biggest myths about safaris, debunked.

Myth #1: You need at least two weeks to really do it right.

Fact: not only is it possible to do it in a week—it may even be preferable (and it’s certainly less tiring)..

Most experts agree: Eight days is all you need for an African safari, which is good news for travelers who can’t swing two weeks or more out of the office. “If you’ve got a full workweek off, bookended by weekends, you can have a fantastic experience,” says Michael Lorentz of the safari travel company Passage to Africa. Here’s how to do it: Stick to one country. Don’t try to pack too much into a single trip (tempting as it may be). And make sure you choose activities you actually want to do—whether it’s game drives and fly camping, or exploring local villages and elephant orphanages—versus those you think you should. “The nuances of a weeklong safari are hugely complex—we spend hours as a team constructing itineraries, and the design of these trips is critical,” Lorentz says. The eight-day safari is also perfect for beginners, he adds, “because if you really fall in love with it, you can return and plan so much more. In Africa, you’ll never run out of things to look forward to.” And don’t forget that it’s easier to get to Africa than you think—especially if you’re flying from the East Coast: There are nonstop flights to Johannesburg from New York City and Atlanta, and connecting flights to Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.

Myth #2: Safaris are crazy expensive.

Fact: considering all that’s included, they’re actually a great value..

No one will ever call them cheap, but remember that the price per person—about $600 a night on average—includes everything: meals, drinks (that usually means sundowners while watching a pride of lions), game drives, guided walks, and other activities, along with airport transfers and park entry fees. The only add-on is tipping, generally about $20 per person a day for a guide and $10 a day for a tracker. “Hidden charges rarely sneak up,” says Bas Hochstenbach, co-founder of Asilia Africa, which operates 16 camps and lodges in Kenya and Tanzania. And you can go anytime of year—just keep an eye on migration patterns before you book.

Myth #3: It’s just not safe right now.

Fact: truth is, game preserves are some of the safest places on earth..

The majority of travelers to Africa never set foot in the most dangerous corners of the continent. “I’ve been doing this for 30 years,” says Mark Nolting of the Africa Adventure Company. “I’m not aware of any camps or lodges being targeted by terrorists. It just hasn’t happened.”

Experts agree that the Kenyan coastline remains dangerous, but typical safari itineraries would never take travelers to those areas or to Garissa, where Shabaab gunmen killed 147 people in April. (The city is more than 200 miles from Nairobi, which is about the distance between New York City and Baltimore.)

The best way to protect yourself? Book through a specialist with on-the-ground personnel who can keep you updated on the changing security situation. “We had clients in Nairobi on the day the deadly attack on the Westgate mall began,” says Dan Saperstein of Hippo Creek Safaris. “They were of course saddened and horrified, but it didn’t have a direct impact on their trip.”

Stacey Lastoe

Madison Flager

Tonya Russell

Matt Kirouac

As for Ebola—the disease that many mistakenly perceive to be affecting the whole continent—safari-goers had little to worry about even at the height of the 2014 outbreak in West Africa: Monrovia, the capital of Liberia (once the epicenter of the Ebola outbreak), is 3,300 miles from Nairobi, the hub most international travelers inevitably pass through en route to East African safaris.

Myth #4: South Africa is for beginners.

Fact: well, that may be true. but that doesn’t mean it isn’t one of the best all-around safari experiences—period..

Book a safari in South Africa and rest assured that smug, been-there/done-that types will tell you “what a great place it is for a beginner’s safari,” perfect for the “Africa virgin.” The implication: too tame, too choreographed, too manicured—especially compared with, say, Zambia or Zimbabwe. But there’s a reason South Africa is the choice of so many first-timers and veterans. “The animal density is fantastic—with great lion, leopard, and cheetah numbers—so the game viewing is dependably excellent,” says Christopher Wilmot-Sitwell, co-owner and director of tailor-made luxury adventure specialists Cazenove & Loyd.

“The camps are stunning, and they have some of the best guides on the continent.” And what of the claim that safaris here are too predictable or too reliant on radio-tracking and vehicle pacing? “There is something quite ‘managed’ about most South African safaris,” acknowledges C&L founder Henrietta Loyd. But there are enormous advantages as well, she adds, “not least for our multi-generational clients, who appreciate how easy it is to safari in a non-malarial zone.”

On the other hand, that hyper-managed approach is unique to the larger national parks. For an altogether different—and arguably more genuine—experience, look to the private concessions maintained by top-notch lodges in the Madikwe Game Reserve and adjacent to Kruger National Park. “Molori, Londolozi, Singita—these lodges offer world-class luxury, and they operate in vast private areas, where they have wide traversing rights,” says Wilmot-Sitwell—meaning you, as a guest, can go far off-road and can venture out at night, the ideal time to spot leopards. It also means you can ride around all day and not see another Land Rover, not even once.

Myth #5: Safaris are way too strenuous.

Fact: in fact—as special projects editor stephen orr discovered—they’re more sedentary than you ever expected..

I still dream of the animals, sights, and sounds I experienced on my recent safari in South Africa. But as a first-timer, I also experienced one challenge that no one had told me about, and it wasn’t a charging elephant or a rampaging hippo: It was what I came to call The Tyranny of Mealtime. We simply ate too much. There was early breakfast before our first sunrise outing, then second breakfast (a term I thought belonged exclusively to Bilbo Baggins), then a long lunch, then a lavish afternoon tea, then an evening “surprise-and-delight” stop somewhere out in the bush that could be anything from G&Ts and grilled sausages around a fire pit to a full-on fondue setup, and finally a three-course dinner. This happened every day—for four days.

“It’s a popular misconception that you’re going to be running around like Indiana Jones on safari,” says Joss Kent, CEO of safari tour company andBeyond.“In fact, the typical day can be very sedentary.” He’s not kidding. Aside from the constant overeating, guests are required to remain in the immediate—often fenced—vicinity of the lodge, with no opportunity to take an unaccompanied hike or jog. Granted, this is for your own safety: Your recently fattened self, lumbering through the bush, would be too tempting a treat for a hungry lioness. That said, I asked some experts what I should do on my next safari so I wouldn’t feel like I needed to go on a juice fast when I got home.

Myth #6: You can plan it yourself.

Fact: don’t even try it. putting your safari in the hands of a specialist is the only way to go..

Most safari experts have been at it for decades. They know all the top guides and naturalists, and they have long-standing relationships with camp and lodge operators. They’ll tell you where you should stay to get the most bang for your buck, and they’ll keep an eye on booking trends that could yield huge savings—deals you never would have heard about otherwise, like unadvertised fourth-night-free specials or discounts on last-minute reservations. Most important, they’ll make sure you’re taking the safari you actually want to take. If you’re not comfortable with bucket showers or a lodge that cuts the electricity from 11 p.m. to 6 a.m., these specialists won’t send you to that kind of camp, even if the game viewing is first-rate. They’ll also have your back on the rare chance that something goes wrong. “Who are you going to call at 2 a.m.,” asks Linda Friedman of Custom Safaris, “Expedia? Or me?”

This article has been updated to correct the name of Linda Friedman's company.

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Moscow Has a New Standard for Street Design

• Written by Strelka Magazine
• Published on August 25, 2016

Earlier this year the development of a new Street Design Standard for Moscow was completed under a large-scale urban renovation program entitled My Street , and represents the city's first document featuring a complex approach to ecology, retail, green space, transportation, and wider urban planning. The creators of the manual set themselves the goal of making the city safer and cleaner and, ultimately, improving the quality of life. In this exclusive interview, Strelka Magazine speaks to the Street Design Standard 's project manager and Strelka KB architect Yekaterina Maleeva about the infamous green fences of Moscow, how Leningradskoe Highway is being made suitable for people once again, and what the document itself means for the future of the Russian capital.

Strelka Magazine: What is the Street Design Standard and what does it include?

Yekaterina Maleeva: The Street Design Standard is a manual for street planning in Moscow . The Standard is divided into four books, each one of them covering particular aspects of street design. Many cities across the globe have developed their own standards and the concept has gained a lot of popularity over the last decade. The New York Street Design Manual is a famous example; the book has even been translated into Russian. However, Moscow streets have little in common with New York streets, for example; every city has its own unique urban typology and simply copying existing solutions from another manual is not a viable option.

When we started our work on the Standard , the first thing we did was study Moscow streets, their peculiarities and common features. The first volume of the Standard focuses on the typology and distinctive attributes of the streets of Moscow. We gathered data on more than 3,000 streets and processed the data. Despite the large sample size, we discovered certain similarities. We managed to identify ten of the most common street types, but some unique streets could not be categorized. For instance, Tverskaya Street, built in 19th century, originally fell under category "10C." But after it was widened in the 1930s, Tverskaya ended up in a unique place within the urban fabric of Moscow. Such objects as that require a case by case approach and an individual project.

What can be found in the other volumes?

After we identified these ten street types, we started working on defining the best way to approach the development of each. The second book describes what a street of each type must have. We developed a general profile and functional zoning for each type. The pavement is more than just a pedestrian lane: there is a buffer zone between the roadway and the walking lane where the parking posts, street lights and communication lines are located. It’s a mandatory utility zone that has to be paved in such a way that any section can be easily unpaved and replaced. There is also a pedestrian fast lane for people walking to their workplace and a promenade with benches and other objects. Building façades have a large impact on the street they are facing. Restaurants and shops are located in these buildings. Making the adjacent zone retail-friendly is important. Cafes and restaurants must be able to open street patios to attract customers without disrupting the pedestrian traffic. How to apply these concepts to each of the street types is thoroughly explained in the Standard .

The third book describes eleven groups of design elements, including surface materials, benches, trash bins and lights. This catalogue of elements contains no mention of suppliers. It does not promote any manufacturers; instead it describes the attributes which define a quality product. For instance, the third book explains which type of tree grates will serve the longest while causing no damage to the root system of a tree. Styles of grates, bins, benches and other elements may vary, but all the items must comply with the quality standard.

Finally, the fourth book focuses on the planning process: how to perform preliminary analysis, how to apply user opinions during the development and how to achieve quality implementation. Additionally, there is a special emphasis on the fact that street planning cannot be carried out without any regard for the context of the street. A street should be regarded as a part of an interconnected system of various public spaces, together with adjacent parks, garden squares, yards and plazas.

Does the Standard have an official status? Should it be considered a law or merely a guideline?

There are a number of state-level laws and regulations relevant to street design issued by the Moscow Government. They were taken into account during the development of the manual. These regulations ensure safety standards and must be complied with. While the existing legislation covers safety aspects, our books introduce comfort standards. The Standard is basically a non-binding, advisory guideline created with the goal of improving the urban environment everywhere across the capital and maintaining it at a high level.

What happens if a street does not fit any of the mentioned types (and is not as significant as Tverskaya)? For instance, what if a street located in the New Moscow territory has cottages on one side, apartment complexes on the other and an entrance to the Moscow Ring Road somewhere along the way?

A standard is not a ready-made solution. The streets share common features yet also retain their individual attributes at the same time. Applying a single standard profile to every street is impossible. Adjustments are always in order.

The Standard offers three sets of solutions for each type of street with a large potential for combining various elements. The manual basically offers a convenient database that a designer working with a new space could use. That does not mean that all the new projects will look exactly the same. Some solutions featured in the Standard are yet to be implemented anywhere in Moscow . For instance, our collaboration with Transsolar, a German company consulting us on environmental comfort, revealed that Moscow’s largest environmental problem was not in fact CO2, but small-particle dust produced by studded tyre traction. And a simple method to control this type of pollution already exists. Many busy streets outside the city center have a green buffer zone separating the roadway from the sidewalks. A 1.5m high ground elevation running along this zone could filter out up to 70% of the tyre dust, preventing it from spreading into the residential areas. Western countries have been successfully using this technology for many years. Now it is a part of Moscow Standard . By the way, a terrain elevation could also help reduce the level of road noise.

Does the Standard offer anything for the main roads? For example, nowadays Leningradskoye Highway basically splits the city into two disconnected parts; it’s a car dominion.

The Standard does not offer solutions for transportation problems. When we were defining our street typology, we relied on traffic load data calculated using Moscow ’s transportation model. We pursued a goal of only offering solutions that would not aggravate the current transport situation. Any planned sidewalk extension or addition of a bicycle lane or road crossing should first be approved by the Moscow Department of Transport.

As for the main roads, our research revealed that the streets with the highest traffic load also have the heaviest pedestrian traffic. One would think that it should be the other way around. However, the main roads have metro stations, which generate a lot of pedestrian traffic, which in turn draws retail. Treating main roads the same way as highways is impossible. The needs of both vehicle traffic and local residents must be taken into account, which creates a paradox.

These territories have every opportunity to become more comfortable. Some have relatively large green buffer zones that currently remain underused. The Standard proposes to augment these zones with additional functionality. On one hand, some of the main streets will gain attraction centers, especially near intersections connecting them to the adjacent residential areas. Weekend markets are one example of such centers. On the other hand, the Standard involves the creation of zones able to absorb extra precipitation flowing from the roads and filter it. There is a list with types of vegetation best fit to handle this task. The same zones could be used to store snow in the winter. The meltwater will be naturally absorbed by the soil, alleviating the need for moving the snow out to melt. This, however, would require decreasing the quantity of melting chemicals sprayed over the snow, as the plants underneath might be susceptible to their effects.

Can the new Standard rid us of green lawn fences, yellow curbs and other eternal eyesores?

The choice of yellow and green appears random, so we have no idea how to actually fight that. The Standard offers no colour schemes. As long as fences meet the set requirements, their colour does not matter. However, currently they seem to fail to comply. The Standard states that lawns do not require fencing. This is a waste of materials: people will not trample grass and bushes just for the sake of it, while dog owners will trespass anyway. There are many other options for protecting lawns from being trampled. For instance, a same-level pavement strip with a different texture could protect a lawn from accidental intruders just as well as a curb can.

Natural soil water absorption is currently largely ignored, with most  precipitation going down the storm drains. Meanwhile patches of open terrain on a street are able to absorb water. Employing these natural cycles in street layout could save resources.

Does the Standard provide any financial estimations? For instance, an approximate cost of renovating a street of a particular type?

No, as the Standard does not list any products of any particular brand, there are no prices to refer to. Nonetheless, the Standard was developed to fit three potential price ranges. Whether their estimated price is low or high, all the elements ensure that quality requirements are met. The same quality level must be maintained across the whole city and never drop below the set standard.

Let’s say a world-famous architect arrives to Moscow to design a street. He puts incredibly beautiful things into his project, which, unfortunately, contradict the Standard and are not guaranteed to work as intended. In that scenario, will the architect be told to stick to the Standard ?

This could happen and I think it would be a good thing. If an architect plans to place a sculpture on a 1.5 meter wide sidewalk, would that really be a good idea? Following the Standard ensures smooth movement. Its goal is to reinvigorate the streets. In Copenhagen, new design manuals helped increase average time spent by residents outside by 20% over 10 years. That was achieved through creating convenient and attractive public spaces. Moreover, implementation of the Standard enables the creation of professional documentation for architects, which excludes the possibility of any instructions that will later be unclear to the experts trying to work with them. Finally, the Standard also pursues the task of providing the opportunity for the development of street retail.

Isn’t retail a whole different story? How can retail be introduced in such places as Strogino District, where the ground floors are living floors and have security bars on windows? By reintroducing street vendors?

True, business has no direct relation to street renovation. However, there is a strong connection between them. In Strogino, building façades are mostly located far from the sidewalk. Moreover, facades are often concealed by shrubbery and trees, making local businesses even less noticeable. Another problem is that first floor apartments cannot be used for commercial purposes due to insufficient ceiling height (3 m compared to 3.5 m required minimum). Nonetheless, we discovered multiple examples of shop owners reconstructing apartments in residential districts to meet the requirements.

Our British consultant Phil Wren, a street retail expert, travelled Moscow ’s residential districts and studied the existing examples. He came up with a great idea: building an expansion connected to the façade and facing the sidewalk. This makes it possible both to achieve the required ceiling height and increase the visibility of the business to the passers-by. The part of the shop located in the apartment can be used as a utility room or a stockroom. This way the noise level is reduced, regulations are met and store space is increased. Our Russian consultants confirmed the viability of the proposed concept. And the Standard will ensure that any added expansions will look presentable.

Does the  Standard also regulate façade appearances, an architectural element? What should be expected from this? It is unlikely that all houses which fail to comply will be demolished once the Standard is implemented. 

Renovation works with what is given. Of course, façades cannot be changed. Central Moscow has a problem with mansions and many other buildings being fenced off, which prevents them from accommodating street retail. Central streets are also relatively narrow. The Standard proposes sidewalk expansion wherever the access to the first floors is open. Street renovation does not always involve planting trees. Some places require enhanced crossings so that people can quickly reach the other side of the street to get to a shop or a café. Those streets where the facades are windowless are a more suitable place to plant more vegetation.

Can an average person – not an architect, designer or construction worker – understand the new Standard , or is it a technical document which can only be interpreted by a professional?

Any person can. The Standard is written in a way that both professionals and common citizens are able to understand. The Standard contains multiple images, photos, infographics and diagrams and is written in plain language. We would love for more people to read it: the books contain many interesting solutions for our city that affect every pedestrian.

In late March it was revealed that Strelka KB would be developing a standard for recreational zones and public areas in Moscow . What differences will that document have from the Street Design Standard ?

The two standards will have a lot in common. The city currently faces a task of developing a connected system of public spaces. The first logical step was to work with the streets which actually connect areas of attraction and other public spaces. Now the work on all other public spaces takes off. Parks, garden squares, yards, water bank recreation areas, plazas near metro stations must all fall into place. Work with these territories will set a single quality standard. In addition, it will improve Moscow ’s quality of life and reduce air pollution. Simple solutions could improve airflow, increase biodiversity and reduce noise levels at the same time.

The renovation program is quite long and depends on numerous standards and documents. But when exactly will the endless repair works end? Are there any time estimations for when all these concepts will finally get implemented?

This is not an easy question. Full renovation may last decades. The Standard is the first step towards actually controlling the renovation process and its timeline. Until now renovation has been proceeding rather haphazardly. Now the city has decided that the way the streets are designed should be clarified. We understand that the Standard cannot last unchanged for eternity and should, just like any regulation, undergo periodical updates. The Standard uses flexible typology: a street of one type could transition to another within a few years under certain conditions, such as changes in its usage and its user categories. Everything must stay regularly updated according to the accumulated experience.

During our work on the Standard , we held regular roundtables joined by experts and ordinary citizens. One of our guests mentioned that he had recently started paying attention to Moscow ’s facades, their beauty and their drawbacks. He was able to do that because he no longer had to watch his step. So the process has already started and we already see some results.

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Shooter Files by f.d. walker

Street Photography Tips, Interaction, Travel, Guides

Apr 24 2017

City Street Guides by f.d. walker: A Street Photography Guide to Moscow, Russia

*A series of guides on shooting Street Photography in cities around the world. Find the best spots to shoot, things to capture, street walks, street tips, safety concerns, and more for cities around the world. I have personally researched, explored and shot Street Photography in every city that I create a guide for. So you can be ready to capture the streets as soon as you step outside with your camera!

At over 12 million people, Moscow is the largest city in Russia and second largest in Europe by population ( Istanbul is #1). An urban, cosmopolitan metropolis with more than enough glitz and glam to cater to the elite, but without losing its fair share of Soviet era roughness around the edges. It can be fast paced, brash, busy, and trendy like other big cities, but it has its blend of West meets Russia atmosphere and beauty that provides plenty of unique interest. The Red Square is as famous as it gets, but there’s so much more to this city, including the most beautiful subway system you’ve ever seen. It would take years to capture all of Moscow, but that means you have an endless amount of areas to discover.

So here’s a Street Photography guide so you can be ready to capture all that Moscow has to offer before you even arrive!

• Patriarch’s Pond
• Old Arbat Street
• Maroseyka Street
• Tverskoy Boulevard

Top 5 Street Spots:

1. red square.

The Red Square is the most famous square in not just Russia, but all of Eastern Europe. The name actually doesn’t come from the color of the bricks or communism, but from the name in Russian, Krásnaya, once meaning “beautiful” before its meaning changed to “red.” This large plaza is what you see on the cover of guide books and magazines for Moscow, with St. Basil’s Cathedral being the center piece next to Lenin’s Mausoleum surrounded by the Kremlin Wall. Of course, the Red Square attracts hordes of tourist due to the main attractions, but all that activity around an interesting atmosphere does provide street photo opportunities. It’s also the central square connecting to the city’s major streets, providing a good starting point to explore outward.

You’ll also find the popular pedestrian only Nikolskaya Street connecting the Red Square to Lubyanka Square. This line of expensive shops includes plenty of activity, while also leading you to another popular square. Filled with history rivaling any city, the Red Square and surrounding areas are the heart and soul of Russia.

2. Patriarch’s Ponds

Patriarch’s Ponds is one of the most exclusive neighborhoods in Moscow. Despite the name being plural, there’s only one large pond, but it’s worth a visit with your camera. It’s a popular spot for locals and expats to come relax or take a stroll around the pond. You get an interesting mix of young and old too, from young love to “babushkas” feeding pigeons. It’s a very peaceful park atmosphere in one of the nicer areas within the city center, while bringing enough activity for street photography. 

The pond is shallow and in the winter becomes a popular spot for ice-skating too. The area is also well-known for the location in the famous Russian novel, The Master and Margarita. 

3. Old Arbat (Stary Arbat)

Old Arbat is the most famous pedestrian street in Moscow, and dating back to the 15th century, also one of its oldest. Originally, it was an area of trade, but soon became the most prestigious residential area in Moscow. During the 18th century, Arbat started attracting the city’s scholars and artists, including Alexander Pushkin. Cafes lined the streets and impressive homes filled the neighborhood. Since then, New Arbat street was created as a highway in the area, while Old Arbat was paved for a 1km pedestrian only walkway.

Due to the historic buildings, famous artists that lived here, and the bohemian atmosphere, Old Arbat has become a big attraction for tourists today. Now, there’s a mix of cafes, restaurants, souvenir shops, street performers, street merchants and other attractions for visitors, and some locals, to come enjoy. It can get really busy here and there’s usually something interesting going on so it’s a good street to come walk with your camera for guaranteed life.

4. Gorky Park

One of the most famous places in Moscow is Gorky Park. The official name is Maxim Gorky’s Central Park of Culture & Leisure, which gives you an idea of what goes on here. When built, it was the first of its kind in the Soviet Union. Divided into two parts, it stretches along Moscow River. One end contains fair rides, foods stands, tennis courts, a sports club, a lake for boat rides, and more. This end brings more active life due to its number of attractions, while the other end is more relaxed, where you’ll find gardens, trees, older buildings, and an outdoor amphitheater.

Gorky Park attracts mostly locals so it’s a good spot to capture the non-tourist side of Moscow life. Muscovites come here to escape the city and unwind in a picturesque setting. The park remains alive outside of the warmer months too, especially when the lake turns into the city’s largest outdoor skating rink. I’d recommend taking the metro out here to spend at least half a day exploring the massive park’s life with your camera.

5. Maroseyka Street

Maroseyka Street is a popular area not too far from the Red Square. The long, winding street turns into Pokrovka and is lined with restaurants, cafes, bars and places to stay. It’s actually where I like to stay when I’m in Moscow due to its location and solid street photography opportunities itself. You have Kitay-gorod station near and if you keep walking southwest, you’ll get to the Red Square. But if you walk northwest, as it changes to Pokrovka, you can find a long street of activity for photography with its own interesting atmosphere.

6. Tverskoy Boulevard

Tverskoy Boulevard is the oldest and longest boulevard in Moscow, beginning at the end of Nikitsky Boulevard, and finishing at Pushkin Square, a spot to come for activity itself. The boulevard is made up of two avenues, with pedestrian walkways in-between. You’ll find grass, shrubbery, trees, benches and more walking it’s almost kilometer length. Many people come here to enjoy some relaxation, walk their dog, or just to use it to walk wherever they’re going. Its center location also provides a nice place to walk with your camera near plenty of other spots you’ll want to check out anyway.

Sample Street Walk:

For a full day of Street Photography, covering some of the best spots, you can follow this sample street walk for Moscow:

• Start your morning walking around the Red Square (1), while exploring the surrounding area, including Nikolskaya Street
• Then walk northwest to Patriarch’s Ponds (2) and slowly walk the pond and surrounding area with your camera
• Next, walk east to the Pushkin Monument and stroll down Tverskoy Boulevard (6)
• Once Tverskoy Boulevard (6) ends, it will turn into Nikitsky Boulevard. Follow this down until you get to the start of Old Arbat Street (3), across from Arbatskaya station
• After you’re done walking down Old Arbat Street (3) for more street photography, spend some time checking out Moscow’s beautiful metro stations
• To finish off the day with more street photography, get off the metro near Red Square (1) again, Maroseyka Street (5) or wherever you’re staying for the night.

3 Things I’ll Remember about Shooting in Moscow:

1. museum metro.

The Moscow metro system was the first underground railway system in the Soviet Union and today includes 203 stations across 340km of routes. The elaborate system has some of the deepest stations in the world too, with escalators that seem to go on forever. None of this is what makes it so special, though. Many of its stations feel like stepping inside a museum, making it without a doubt the most interesting and beautiful metro system I’ve been in.

When built, Stalin wanted to make the metro stations “palaces for the people” with marble, chandeliers, and grand architecture. The best part is the variety of architecture and styles used, making many of the stations a completely different experience visually. You could easily spend a whole day traveling the stations and there are even tours available for people who wish to do just that. My advice, though, would be just to buy a ticket and hop on and off at different stations, while exploring different lines. The museum-like surrounding mixed with the crowds of characters can make for a great photography experience.

Since there are so many stations, here are some of my favorites to check out:

• Novoslobodskaya
• Mayakovskaya
• Elektrozavodskaya
• Komsomolskaya
• Ploschad Revolyutsii
• Dostoyevskaya
• Prospekt Mira

2. Moscow is Big

It’s no secret that Moscow is a big city, but it can feel even bigger with how spread out much of it is. This is especially true if you compare it to cities outside of Asia. If I compared it to cities in Europe, I’d probably say only Istanbul would warrant more time to really discover the depths of this city. Most only explore around the Red Square and surrounding area, but that is such a small part of the city. Although, that central area does give you plenty to see on its own.

Fortunately, I had a good friend living in the city to show me around, but it opened up my eyes even more to how much there is to discover in Moscow. It’s a big city with a variety of atmosphere that can take you from “east” to “west” and trendy to rugged depending on where you go. I’d imagine you’d have to live here a while to really know the city.

3. Cosmopolitan Mix of East meets West

Modern skyscrapers mixed with amazing architecture, a world-class metro system with museum-like beauty, trendy fashion and chic clubs, Moscow is a rich mix of Russian culture and history in a more western cosmopolitan package. There is a push to keep the Russian culture, while also pushing forward with a modern metropolis the whole world will envy. This comes with an impressive skyline, that continues to grow, and endless modernities, but with soviet nostalgia and atmosphere mixed in for good measure.

Mixed in with this grand western cosmopolitan atmosphere, is a strong national pride in Russia. This includes their famous leader, Vladimir Putin. Maybe no other place will you see a country’s leader more often. All over, from the pricey tourist shops to the underground walkway stalls, you’ll find goods with Putin’s likeness covering them. From t-shirts to magnets to Matryoshka dolls. There’s a strong national pride that can be seen around the city, which also extends to their leader. Moscow is many things. It’s East meets West, modernizations meets Soviet era, and a whole lot more.

What To Do For a Street Photography Break?:

Eat at a stolovaya.

Stolovayas are Russian cafeterias that became popular in the Soviet days. You grab a tray and walk down the line of freshly prepared local dishes, and select whatever you want from the chefs. They’re usually inexpensive and a much better value than restaurants, while giving you the opportunity to try from a wide selection of everyday Russian food. They’re also very tasty. I always include some borsch on my tray and go from there. The places themselves are all over Moscow and usually come with Soviet-era aesthetics to complete the experience.

Street Safety Score: 7

*As always, no place is completely safe! So when I talk about safety, I’m speaking in general comparison to other places. Always take precaution, be smart, observe your surroundings and trust your instincts anywhere you go!

Being the 2nd largest city in Europe with over 12 million people, you’re going to have your dangerous areas, but for the most part, it feels safe walking around. Russia is statistically higher in crime compared to most of Europe, but this generally doesn’t apply to tourists and visitors. Around the Red Square and surrounding city center, you should feel completely safe walking around. Pick pocketing can happen, but no more than other touristic places. I always explore Moscow freely without coming across too much to worry about. It’s a spread out city, though, so of course it matters where you are. Just use basic street smarts, know where you are and Moscow shouldn’t give you a problem. 

People’s Reaction Score: 7

Moscow is fast paced, big city life, which usually means people aren’t too concerned with you, or your camera. I don’t find people notice or pay much attention to me when I’m out taking photos in Moscow. For the most part, people just go about their day. You shouldn’t get too many looks or concern. But it can depend on the area you are in. The more you stick out, the more you might get noticed with suspicions. I’ve never had any problems in Moscow, or Russia, but just be careful who you’re taking a photo of if you get out of the city center. Other than that, it’s about average for reactions. 

Street Tips:

Learn the alphabet .

Much of Moscow, including the metro system, doesn’t use english. The Russian alphabet uses letters from the Cyrillic script, which if you aren’t familiar with it and don’t know the sounds, can be hard to decipher the words. This is most important for street names and metro stops when trying to get around. It can save confusion and make it easier getting around if you learn the basic alphabet. At the very least then, you can sound out the words to see which are similar in the english conversion, which can help matching them to maps. When out shooting street photography, getting around is as important as anything. So save yourself some time and frustration by learning the Russian Alphabet.

Use the metro

While Saint-Petersburg feels very walkable for a city its size, Moscow can feel very spread out, even for its bigger size. Outside of the Red Square area, you can have plenty of walking before getting anywhere very interesting, so you’ll need to take the metro a lot if you really want to explore the city. Maps are deceiving here too, it will always be further than it looks.

Another reason it’s less walkable than Saint-Petersburg is its completely different set-up. Moscow’s streets are mostly contstructed in rings with narrow, winding streets in-between. This is common with medieval city cities that used to be confined by walls, but you usually don’t have it in a city this massive. Saint-Petersburg has a more grid-like pattern that also uses the canals to help you know your way around. When it comes to navigating on foot in Moscow, it can be more difficult, so bring a map and take the metro when needed. It’s why Moscow’s metro carries more passengers per day than the London and Paris subways combined.

Explore other areas if you have time

Moscow is really big. While most people stay around the Red Square within the Boulevard Ring, there’s so much more to the city. I covered some other spots outside of this circle, but if you really want to see the city, you’ll need time. If you do have time, some other areas I’d check out first are Zamoskvarechye, along some of the south and western Moscow.

Inspiration:

For some more inspiration, you can look through the Street Photography of Moscow photographer Artem Zhitenev  and check out 33 of my photos taken in Moscow .

Conclusion:

Moscow’s name brings a certain mystique, but once you’re there it might bring a different atmosphere than you expect. It’s big and sprawling, but beautiful in many ways. It can feel like a European capital on a grand scale, but you can definitely find its Russian side in there.

The urban sprawl of Moscow can be intimidating, but give it enough time and you’ll be rewarded with plenty to discover. All with the world’s best metro system to take you around.

I hope this guide can help you start to experience some of what Moscow contains. So grab your camera and capture all that Moscow has to offer for Street Photography!

If you still have any questions about shooting in Moscow, feel free to comment below or email me!

(I want to make these guides as valuable as possible for all of you so add any ideas on improvements, including addition requests, in the comment section!)

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Le Corbusier’s triumphant return to Moscow

The exhibition of French prominent architect Le Corbusier, held in The Pushkin Museum, brings together the different facets of his talent. Source: ITAR-TASS / Stanislav Krasilnikov

The largest Le Corbusier exhibition in a quarter of a century celebrates the modernist architect’s life and his connection with the city.

Given his affinity with Moscow, it is perhaps surprising that the city had never hosted a major examination of Le Corbusier’s work until now. However, the Pushkin Museum and the Le Corbusier Fund have redressed that discrepancy with the comprehensive exhibition “Secrets of Creation: Between Art and Architecture,” which runs until November 18.

Presenting over 400 exhibits, the exhibition charts Le Corbusier’s development from the young man eagerly sketching buildings on a trip around Europe, to his later years as a prolific and influential architect.

The exhibition brings together the different facets of his talent, showing his publications, artwork and furniture design alongside photographs, models and blueprints of his buildings.

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Irina Antonova, director of the Pushkin Museum, said, “It was important for us to also exhibit his art. People know Le Corbusier the architect, but what is less well know is that he was also an artist. Seeing his art and architecture together gives us an insight into his mind and his thought-processes.”

What becomes obvious to visitors of the exhibition is that Le Corbusier was a man driven by a single-minded vision of how form and lines should interact, a vision he was able to express across multiple genres.

The upper wings of the Pushkin Museum are separated by the central stairs and two long balconies. The organizers have exploited this space, allowing comparison of Le Corbusier’s different art forms. On one side there are large paintings in the Purist style he adapted from Cubism, while on the other wall there are panoramic photographs of his famous buildings.

Le Corbusier was a theorist, producing many pamphlets and manifestos which outlined his view that rigorous urban planning could make society more productive and raise the average standard of living.

It was his affinity with constructivism, and its accompanying vision of the way architecture could shape society, which drew him to visit the Soviet Union, where, as he saw it, there existed a “nation that is being organized in accordance with its new spirit.”

The exhibition’s curator Jean-Louis Cohen explains that Le Corbusier saw Moscow as “somewhere he could experiment.” Indeed, when the architect was commissioned to construct the famous Tsentrosoyuz Building, he responded by producing a plan for the entire city, based on his concept of geometric symmetry.

Falling foul of the political climate

He had misread the Soviet appetite for experimentation, and as Cohen relates in his book Le Corbusier, 1887-1965, drew stinging attacks from the likes of El Lissitsky, who called his design “a city on paper, extraneous to living nature, located in a desert through which not even a river must be allowed to pass (since a curve would contradict the style).”

Not to be deterred, Le Corbusier returned to Moscow in 1932 and entered the famous Palace of the Soviets competition, a skyscraper that was planned to be the tallest building in the world.

This time he fell foul of the changing political climate, as Stalin’s growing suspicion of the avant-garde led to the endorsement of neo-classical designs for the construction, which was ultimately never built due to the Second World War.

Situated opposite the proposed site for the Palace of the Soviets, the exhibition offers a tantalizing vision of what might have been, presenting scale models alongside Le Corbusier’s plans, and generating the feeling of an un-built masterpiece.

Despite Le Corbusier’s fluctuating fortunes in Soviet society, there was one architect who never wavered in his support . Constructivist luminary Alexander Vesnin declared that the Tsentrosoyuz building was the "the best building to arise in Moscow for over a century.”

The exhibition sheds light on their professional and personal relationship, showing sketches and letters they exchanged. In a radical break from the abstract nature of most of Le Corbusier’s art, this corner of the exhibition highlights the sometimes volatile architect’s softer side, as shown through nude sketches and classical still-life paintings he sent to Vesnin.

“He was a complex person” says Cohen. “It’s important to show his difficult elements; his connections with the USSR, with Mussolini. Now that relations between Russia and the West have improved, we can examine this. At the moment there is a new season in Le Corbusier interpretation.” To this end, the exhibition includes articles that have never previously been published in Russia, as well as Le Corbusier’s own literature.

Completing Le Corbusier’s triumphant return to Russia is a preview of a forthcoming statue, to be erected outside the Tsentrosoyuz building. Even if she couldn’t quite accept his vision of a planned city, Moscow is certainly welcoming him back.

All rights reserved by Rossiyskaya Gazeta.

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