07/11/2004  |   Hit Counter  |  email  Aschermann Email   |  Return to Russia Pages

This webpage is best read by using Internet Explorer

Above represents the building of the 1950's.  As compared to other Soviet cities, Moscow was not occupied by the Nazi army.  So, with the exception of moving factories and people east in the event of Nazi occupation, Moscow was not affected... i.e. no buildings were bombed or burned.  The people of Moscow were not quite as lucky when Napoleon came to town in the 1800's.

 

Olympic Village 1980

The United States and other nations boycotted the 1980 Olympics because of the invasion of Afghanistan by the Soviet army.  Unfortunately, many of the buildings in this area have been neglected. Like many buildings there does not seem to be any  preventive maintenance.

 

     

The picture on the left above shows the expansion of Moscow. Is the rebuilding caused by the increase in population or no building after the initial spurt following 1945?  Why the building?  [The population is not increasing.]   In Moscow the dream of each family is to have an apartment as it is for Americans to dream of a single family house. -- Remember, though many people living in the American urban centers also dream of a "good" apartment..

 The sky line shows major building of what appear to be apartment houses. To have an apartment in Moscow is much like having a single family house.  Maybe here is where Moscow and New York and alike.

 A major question comes up--- who will live in these new buildings?  Who has the money to either buy the apartment or pay the rent?

 

     

Modern buildings in Moscow

  

Government buildings in Kaluga

   

The buildings in many of the Russian cities have a multiple purpose.  The first floor is used for retail outlets.  The second floor is for offices.  The third floor will be used for living space for citizens.  Some of the buildings have been designed to take into account the cold winters of Moscow.  Depending-- a person may be able to work, to purchase food and to live all in the same building.

Home away from home for three weeks

Academy of Labor & Social Relations. 

    

 

Moscow State University  This is a very impressive building that over sees much of Moscow.  It was one of the visual symbols of the old Union of Soviet Socialist Republics.  The "rules" of the city are that nothing can be built that will be higher than the top of Moscow University.

 [Note: the photo above was taken at about 10:00 AM or before the  daily ration of vodka was distributed.  This is not the Leaning University of Moscow [Leaning Tower of Pisa]. 

 

 

 

  Looking at the city from the high hills of Moscow University.

 

Looking at Moscow across the river

        

As such the above slides do not say much-- a long silver looking pipe.... so what is it for?

  Very interesting.  The above is part of the "central heating system" for the city.   Each section of the city is serviced by what must be a gigantic hot water heater or boiler. The heated water is  distributed to all the homes and businesses. 

 For some reason the governments considered this the best alternative to use for providing heat and hot water.  Possibly the logic may be something to "economy of scale."  Imagine though trying to deliver hot water to so many different places in the middle of the winter in Russia. Keeping Cool in the Summer, the Russian Way - FEATURE - MOSNEWS.COM  This is an interesting article.

It has been reported that during the spring, summer and fall the City of Moscow will turn the "off" handle to various sections of the city.  While the yearly maintenance is done on the region's boiler and distribution system, that area of the city does not have hot water for cooking or bathing.  This is the way it works......

 What works for them is OK if it works for them... and apparently it has worked for a number of years.

As the old Soviet Union continues to priviatise the economic system, they run into some problems trying to deal the cost of the distribution of water, hot water for heat and sanitation.

 What incentive do individuals have to not waste water and heat?  At this point-- very little.  As compared to other areas of the world, the Russians do not have meters to measure the amount of electricity, water or heated water and then a charge system so that those who use the most will have the highest bill.

Russian Personality Who is Trying to Make a Difference.

 

Soviet Construction Practices

For years the Old Soviet Union was noted for the shoddy construction for almost anything built.  When many multi-story apartment houses fell down in Armenia as a result of an earthquake, it was noticed that the building did not have any "re-bar" or concrete reinforcing iron. This probably was happening in Moscow also.

 Below are two photos of brick work that we can see.

Even if you are not a brick layer, look at the two photos and explain why a brick layer in Missouri would shake his/her head.

 It does not take a building engineer to see the obvious "bad" brick laying.

 

  

Why can we see such shoddy construction?  Did the Soviet workers lack the building skills that workers in the modern industrial world have?  Probably not.  In the past it was said "the workers play-like they are working and the government played-like it was paying workers."

  According to Marxist teachings, it will be the "natural thing" for everyone to contribute to the new society.

It appears very simply--- the old workers of the Soviet Union really cared less about the quality of the labor provided.  This "no one cared" for a time being would end with some of the workers or foreman being called an "enemy of the state."  [That wasn't good for a person's health.] 

 

The first photo on the left shows the outside of a building.  Things look OK.  As we walked to the rear of the building the woman shown begins yelling at us.  The tour guide said that she wanted us to come in and see the building.  She also began making comments about the political bureaucrats of the region.  The translator chose not to use the English words for what she was saying.   We went in--- dark stairs [in the middle of the day] and dark hallways.  The light fixtures have been removed from ceiling.  Bare wires are seen.  Notice the next picture--- the plaster has fallen from the ceiling and according to the lady it has been there for months and months. No one accepts the responsibility of removing the plaster on the walkway. At one time the hallways had radiators to keep the walk ways warm--- probably years ago and from simple neglect the radiators no longer work--- they froze and we find that water has more power and strength than does steel.

The first photo below shows the exterior of "home" for three weeks in April and May of 2004.  The building went up in the 1950's or 60's.  At one time it was a good building.  Unfortunately for a variety of reasons the building was not maintained.  The exterior of the building has mosaic tile.  The arrows point to areas where the tile had come off.  The rest of the tiles are obviously dirty.

 

The next photo shows "my windows"--- notice that the paint has worn off and/or is starting to flake off in big pieces.  Without proper painting and maintenance on a regular basis the window wood work will have to be replaced in a short period of time.  [It was interesting to see that in most buildings in Moscow there was a double pane of glass, i.e. storm windows because of the cold.]

An adjustment in the work ethic of the Russian worker probably is one of the major hurdles that the new government must deal with.  It appeared that "no one accepted responsibility" for anything during the Soviet era.  At the same time those "in charge" must decide how to do preventive maintenance with the buildings that they have.

Sidebar:  we have to be careful about making judgments.  Without a doubt an inspector could come to New York or Kansas City or St. Joseph and take the same type of photos.  In general we assume that with building regulations and building inspectors the buildings in North America are well designed and built.

Does anyone remember the hotel balcony that fell down several years ago in Kansas City?  Remember there were nearly 150 people killed when a balcony fell on dancers.  Blame was sent to everyone.... no matter... 150 people died because of engineering, poor construction or something.  So, again before we throw stones we need to look at our own house.

    

Academy of Labor & Social Relations

Welcome in four languages [but none of the languages of the people who lived adjacent to me].

Return to Main Russia WebPage

Note:  the series of webpages that present Russia in the spring of 2004 are not copyrighted.

If you find a photo that is useful to you, do the wipe, copy, paste technique.

I would like to hear from you.  What are you using the photo for?

How is it adding to the program that you are developing?

Aschermann Mail