>sotsgorod/ brigade ernst may/ cities/ novo kuznetsk/ urban design

The city-plan of Novo Kuznetsk was by Walter Schwagenscheidt, based on sketches that were made during a designing expedition by train in February 1931. The plan is based on a system of streets on the East-West axis, with rows of apartment blocks perpendicular to them.

It is an open plan of schematic strip development, with standardised housing blocks and a lot of greenery. There is a broad road connecting the living areas with the industry. The drawings for communal buildings by MayÕs specialists were not accepted. Soviet architects designed these.

Again there was a lot of criticism from the comrades on MayÕs new city. In 1934 his plans were adapted by a group of Soviet urban designers Ñ the streetplan was kept, but the architecture was changed - and in 1937 a whole new plan was accepted.

May replying to the demand for a more monumental building style: "But a factory worker doesnÕt wear a Rococo suit."