27th Session:

IRKUTSK. KARL MARX STREET AREA.

A NEW LIFE FOR THE STREETS OF THE HISTORIC CITY CENTER

(Karl Liebknecht St., Babushkina St., Chekhova St., Fourier St., Uritskogo St., Kievskaya St., Gryaznova St.)

September 18–24, 2025 | February 2026

Master’s Program of the Winter University
In 2024, the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation initiated the integration of the annual sessions of the International Baikal Winter University of Urban Planning with the Master’s degree program.

Students of the Master’s program also take part in the project teams. The program’s concept brings together graduate students and participants into interdisciplinary project teams to develop visions for the future of the Irkutsk region, exchange ideas, attend lectures and excursions, receive professional consultations, and present their results to an international jury.

The educational program continues the traditions of the design schools of Irkutsk National Research Technical University (IRNITU) and introduces a unique focus in Russia on interdisciplinary teamwork in project-based education.

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TOPICS OF THE WORKING GROUPS 27th Project Session

1 An Intercampus Pedestrian Bridge over the Angara River to Karl Marx Street: A New Planning Axis for Irkutsk.

2 The Revitalization of Karl Marx Street and the New Transportation Scheme for Irkutsk's City Center.

3 Karl Marx Street as a Network of Public Spaces (Courtyards) and Pedestrian Routes for the Daily Life of the City's Residents.

4 The Intersection of Karl Marx and Lenin Streets – A New Interpretation. The City's Primary Planning Crossroad.

5 Real Estate Development in a Historic District: Case Studies of Select Blocks on Karl Marx Street.

6 An Interpretation of the Central Streets in the Historic Settlement of Irkutsk (Karl Marx, Karl Liebknecht, Babushkina, Chekhova, Fourier, Uritskogo, Kievskaya, and Gryaznova Streets).

The genesis and development of Irkutsk’s historic center over the course of four centuries — as the city’s and the region’s major public and business district — make it a unique place to visit. Beyond being the modern business hub, the historic center is a place of vibrant connections, where employees, residents, students, and tourists cross paths throughout the year, inspired by the atmosphere of the historic urban fabric.

In recent years, however, the historic center of this major Siberian city has faced increasing challenges: competitive pressure from peripheral commercial centers, a real estate crisis, and a decline in the overall quality and comfort of the urban environment. These circumstances call for a transformation of the historic city — in urban, landscape, and ecological terms — within the framework of sustainability. This implies a paradigm shift requiring a profound rethinking of the principles underlying the development of the historic center as a comfortable pedestrian environment, and the regeneration of the outdated urban model of the past century.

Irkutsk already has a modest example in the form of Uritskogo Street — a car-free pedestrian street approximately 400 meters long and 30 meters wide — which connects the central market with Karl Marx Street, representing the city’s first pedestrian zone.

In line with the concept of central streets, the remarkable riverside location of the historic city along the Angara River and its unique historical environment offer diverse opportunities for revitalization.

What values should guide projects for the future of the historic center?
How can this unique area be improved amid multiple environmental, economic, and social challenges? How can this multifunctional urban district be reintegrated into its exceptional natural setting? What programmatic and spatial model of the historic center corresponds to the 21st century? And how can the historic center — its key urban spaces — become a driving force for Irkutsk’s regeneration?
ЭТАПЫ МЕРОПРИЯТИЯ 26-й проектной сессии
Urban Planning Session

Formation of five project teams, site assessment, identification of challenges and tools, development of the design brief, and presentation of results to an expert jury.

COMPLETED
programme
September 18–24, 2025
Autumn Project Semester

Analysis of development conditions in the structures of the historic center, formulation of project team strategies, and presentation to the local expert community.
October – December 2025
Winter Urban Planning Session

Development and justification of the project concept, object modeling, and presentation to an international jury.
February 16 – March 1, 2026
Final Stage

Detailing of design solutions, project visualization, and final presentations to the city administration and experts.
The project semester concludes with high-quality proposals for the pedestrian network of the future historic city and the renovation of Karl Marx Street — the central pedestrian axis and one of the key spaces of the historic center.
March – May 2026
  • ВIdentification of the main challenges and problems of the city center, including the historic core of Irkutsk;
  • Definition of strategic goals and directions for the renovation of the central axis — the intersection of Karl Marx and Lenin Streets — and determination of the next steps in its development;
  • Decomposition of strategic goals into specific design objectives;
  • Identification of priority areas of project work for each thematic group and formulation of design briefs.
QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS FOR PARTICIPATION
English Language Proficiency Level B1 or higher
To participate, you should feel comfortable in an international environment and be able to discuss professional topics in English.
Experience in Urban Planning and Real-World Projects
Our community is interdisciplinary, so applications are considered regardless of your primary field of study. If you have education or experience in addressing complex issues of urban or rural development, please include this in your portfolio — whether you are a geologist, an architect, or a future medical professional.
Education
The Winter University welcomes:
  • graduates,
  • 4th–5th year undergraduate students and Master’s students of any specialization,
  • and professionals with experience in urban planning or spatial development.
Participation as a Participant or Assistant
Determine whether your competencies correspond to the desired role of a participant.
Participation as a Lecturer or Expert
Applications from lecturers and experts are reviewed on an individual basis. Please send your CV and preferred form of participation to info@winteruni.ru.
If You Lack Some of the Required Competencies…
Even if you do not fully meet the listed competencies, you are still welcome to apply. If the Winter University recognizes your strong motivation, you have a chance to be selected as a participant.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
participant
How much does participation cost?
Organizing Committee
Participation is free of charge at the application stage and is payable only after the application is approved.
The participation fee will be announced in the coming days.
Applications are reviewed within 7 days, and in exceptional cases — until the final publication of the selection results.
participant
Is accommodation and meals provided?
Organizing Committee
The Winter University provides accommodation for all participants — one day before the start of the event and one day after its completion.
Meals are to be arranged individually by participants.
IRNITU has its own cafeteria on campus.
participant
Who covers travel expenses (air and train tickets)?
Organizing Committee
Travel expenses are covered by the sending organization.
The Winter University prepares an official letter to the sending institution requesting that you be assigned to participate during the event dates and informing them about the expected transfer expenses.
The possibility of covering your travel costs depends on the sending organization.
All other local transfer expenses related to excursions and program activities are covered by the Organizing Committee.
participant
What will I gain from the program?
Organizing Committee
You will gain invaluable experience working on real-world territorial development challenges, expand your professional network, and add a project case to your portfolio.
Each team also receives an official participation certificate, along with memorable prizes and gifts.
Ask a Question
  • Official Email
    info@winteruni.ru
  • Ekaterina Pozdnyakova
    Coordinator of the Winter University
    info@winteruni.ru
    You may contact Ekaterina regarding questions about applications, official nomination letters, event schedule, transfer arrangements to and from the airport or railway station, preparation of participant reports, request for presentation templates, and other organizational matters.
  • Svetlana Orlova
    Coordinator of the Winter University
    info@winteruni.ru
    You may contact Svetlana regarding the current schedule of working days, organization of the event venue, provision of necessary materials and equipment, and assistance with any issues that may arise during the event.
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