Location: Primorsky District, St. Petersburg
Area: 85.6 hectares
Author: Research Institute of Advanced Urban Planning (NIIPG)
Project Manager: Pavel Spirin, NII PG Director, Academician of the Russian Academy of Architecture and Construction Sciences (RAACS)
The architectural and urban planning concept for the new zoo envisions the creation of a modern, public, recreational, educational, and tourist complex in St. Petersburg. The new complex will complement the existing Leningrad Zoo, creating a new attraction for residents and visitors of St. Petersburg.
The concept is based on modern international approaches to zoo design, where animal welfare, environmental education, scientific activities, and the creation of a high-quality public environment are priorities.
Biomic Principle of Territory Organization
The planning structure is based on a biomic approach, which allows for the recreation of various natural and climatic zones of the world.
Five biomes are formed around the central lake:
• African savanna
• Tropical jungle
• Mountain Asia
• Russian taiga
• Arctic and Antarctic.
Each biome represents an independent natural environment with its own landscape, vegetation, water bodies, and animal exhibits.
Animals in their Natural Environment
The key design principle was to create conditions as close as possible to the animals' natural habitat.
The spacious enclosures are integrated into the natural terrain, water bodies, and landscaping. This approach ensures animal comfort, improves the quality of their care, and creates an immersive experience for visitors in natural ecosystems.
The project is being developed in collaboration with specialized experts and representatives of the Leningrad Zoo, taking into account modern animal care requirements and the climatic conditions of St. Petersburg.
Monorail Line
All thematic zones are connected by a circular system of pedestrian routes and a monorail line.
The monorail provides convenient transportation throughout the complex, including accessibility for people with limited mobility, and creates additional opportunities for observing animals from various vantage points without interfering with their habitat.
According to project manager Pavel Spirin:
"Considering the complex's large size, the monorail provides quick and convenient access to key areas. Part of the exhibits can be explored on foot, while others can be observed from above, moving along the monorail. At the same time, the monorail becomes an important element of the zoo's architectural image and shapes its recognizable modern appearance."
The Arctic—the Heart of the Zoo
The Arctic became the conceptual and compositional center of the concept. The project emphasizes the ecological, scientific, and strategic significance of Russia's northern territories. The zone's architectural design is inspired by icy landscapes and the natural sculpturesque nature of icebergs.
The centerpiece will be the multifunctional Iceberg Pavilion, which will include:
• an Arctic and Antarctic Museum
• exhibition spaces
• educational centers
• public areas
• restaurants and leisure facilities.
The public space will house a large-scale model of an icebreaker as a symbol of the exploration of the northern latitudes.
Public Spaces and Infrastructure
The zoo is not designed as an isolated area, but rather will be integrated into the urban environment and serve as a recreational space.
A publicly accessible embankment with cafes, restaurants, walking trails, and rental shops is planned along the canals.
The complex also includes: oceanarium, ethnopark of the Northern peoples, children's educational center, rope course, sports grounds, recreation areas, exhibition spaces for temporary exhibits and events.
Transportation Accessibility
The project takes into account the future development of the area's transport infrastructure.
The main entrance is oriented toward the future metro station, located within walking distance of the complex. A system of pedestrian entrances, bridge crossings, and transport links with the surrounding urban area is also planned.
On the Western High-Speed Diameter side, parking infrastructure has been designed to also serve as a noise buffer between the highway and the animal areas.
A New Center of Attraction for St. Petersburg
The architectural and urban planning concept proposed by NII PG creates a new large-scale recreational and public center, uniting nature, education, culture, tourism, and modern public spaces.
The complex is expected to attract between 3.5 and 4 million people annually, allowing the new zoo to become one of the most sought-after urban infrastructure facilities and the largest family leisure centers in St. Petersburg.
Authors: project manager P. Spirin, D. Mareev, M. Vinokurov, E. Sokolov, O. Druzina, D. Morozov, E. Zhuravsky, V. Sorokin, E. Mironova, M. Doronina, A. Gracheva, T. Tsvetkova
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