Rustem Khamitov has met with Dutch architect Jos Cuijpers

UFA, 18 November 2016. /Bashinform News Agency, Alexander Smirnov/. On November 18, the Head of Bashkortostan Rustem Khamitov met with an expert in the field of architecture, urban and landscape design, heritage conservation, the head of "Cuijpers Consultancy" Office (Netherlands) Jos Cuijpers. In Ufa, the architect participates in the 12th specialized exhibition "Hospitality and Tourism Industry Forum", which takes place at the "VDNKh-Expo" exhibition complex.

The sides discussed the issues of urban planning, preservation of cultural and historical heritage, as well as the prospects of Ufa development.

“In our republic we try to work hard to make our city become comfortable for residents. We would like to make our urban, rural residents feel in their settlements differently, more freely,” Rustem Khamitov said.

According to the Head of the Republic, the positive trends are still hindered by issues related to real estate developers, bureaucratic procedures.

Jos Cuijpers marked that his work was related to urban planning and preservation of cultural heritage. Thus he evaluates Ufa from these points of view.

“With regard to the historical, cultural tourism, Ufa now is quite in a difficult situation. Such things happen when we speak of a historic city. It is not a big problem when you remove one, two historical objects. In the end, you come to the fact that your city has transformed into a typical, not historical one,” said the architect. “And when the city becomes ordinary, it is bad not only for its residents but also for tourists, because they will no longer come to visit it. No one will come from Moscow, St. Petersburg and Vladivostok to Ufa, to see what they can see in their cities. I urge you to preserve the historic sites that you have to develop tourism.”