December updates

Apologies for inconsistency.
News updates from EKOM in December (translated from Russian, available on www.ecom.su):

25 December 2009

In a lengthy discussion published on Fontanka.ru, Filipp Nikandrov, the chief architect of the Okhta-Center project, accused Petersburgers of having a two-dimensional consciousness, living in a Flat City, thinking in a two-dimensional past and not understanding the visions of spiritual giants – among whom Nikandrov boldly counts himself. Oh well, the architect is unlucky in the ‘natives’ who for the time being inhabit the expanse chosen for his cherished ambitions. However, as it turns out, the problem is worse yet: Mr. Nikandrov has chosen not only a city with incorrect citizens, but a country with an incorrect population.

From 18-22 December 2009, the Yuri Levada Analytical Center (the Levada-Center) conducted a survey about the attitude of Russian Federation citizens to the status of Petersburg and to the construction of Okhta-Center as a new symbol of the city. The survey was conducted through individual interviews with a sample size of 1600 Russian citizens, 18 years or older, in 127 settlements in 46 regions. The statistical error of the results does not exceed 3.4%. The results were published on December 24 on the website of Levada-Center.

First question:
‘How important for Russia is it for the historical center of St. Petersburg and its suburb areas to be included on the list of World Heritage Sites of UNESCO?’

59% -- It is very important, and therefore it is inadmissible to make architectural decisions that will lead to the loss of this status.
19% -- It is a prestigious status, but in certain circumstances it could be ignored.
7% -- It is irrelevant, and when making architectural decisions, it is not necessary to consider it.
15% -- not sure

Second question:
‘Do you agree that St. Petersburg needs a new architectural symbol in the form of the social-economic center with a 400-meter-high skyscraper planned by the company “Gazprom-Neft,” or do you oppose the construction of such a skyscraper in St. Petersburg?’

21% -- completely agree / mostly agree
60% -- categorically against / mostly against
19% -- not sure

24 December 2009

Judging by recent events, in connection with evident failures [the Okhta-Center promotional team] has changed/respun something.

Notably:
-they have done a 180-degree turn from their previous approach to archaeological heritage (understandable);
-the theme of “support for the project at the highest levels” (also understandable);
-they have begun to promote “the Russian architect Nikandrov,” positioning him as the author of the project;
-another pulse of activity on the net: special accounts have been created in LiveJournal, li.ru and other blog hosts, which republish messages from VKrizis and Fontanka;
-towards opponents of the project they have adopted a practice of dividing: uncovering various clusters of interests and raising mistrust among them, then, evidently, suspicion and hostility;
-personal insults against the leaders of groups and organizations who oppose the project with the goal of occupying their time in senseless arguments.