EDDEA and Citythinking join forces again to design Minsk’s new financial district in Belarus

EDDEA is taking part in the first phase of the design of Minsk’s new financial district in Belarus, a new project with Citythinking, with Mediomundo Arquitectos also collaborating, for Dana Holding. From May 2018 the initiative will move into the ‘concept’ and ‘schematic’ phases, which are due to be completed before the autumn. With a development of more than 300,000 metres above ground and almost 150,000 more in basements, this first stage “comprises the programming of a three-storey shopping complex and a group of office towers up to 200 metres high”, explains EDDEA’s International Director, Anja Ehrenfried. The work in which the Andalusian studio is involved – as it continues to consolidate its expansion abroad – focuses on conceptualisation, flow analysis, zoning, cost estimation and the planning of all the works through to completion over a 40-month horizon. “This financial district is part of a Belarusian Government plan to strengthen the capital’s role in the new global economic and financial landscape. As one of the most dynamic capitals of all the former Soviet republics, Minsk has been able to make the most of its strategic geographical position,” notes Ehrenfried. As the Russian Federation’s natural border with the European Union (it is less than seven hours by car from Moscow), the city lies on the north–south routes linking the Baltic republics with Ukraine and Turkey, and on the east–west routes that carry goods from the Far East to Europe, including the new Beijing–Madrid train, which has been running for almost two years. EDDEA and Citythinking have already carried out several projects in the country, including a number of contracts to plan the urban development of Moscow, covering the design of an entire new district with housing, social facilities and commercial uses.