In spring 1986 City of Kishinev ratified Historical Pushkin Zone borders and zoning for future reconstruction and development. This presentation illustrates programming accepted by City of Kishinev in 1986 regarding future development of former Kalinin Experimental Plant's lot adjacent to Pushkin  House Museum as a part of larger program for reconstruction of Historical Pushkin Zone in Kishinev.

     The exile years of the Great Russian poet A. Pushkin to present Moldova (former Bessarabia) are 1820-1823. On September 21, 1820 Pushkin reached the capital of Moldova, Kishinev, and settled down in the house of Merchant Ivan Naumov, today a museum. Museum Pushkin House was opened in the late 40-ths of 20-th century in this house, where Pushkin lived in the autumn of 1820, expelled from Russia for three years.  The museum has grown and now it is not just the house where the poet lived, but also the adjacent mansion built in the late nineteenth century. A permanent exhibition is now arranged in this house, reflecting the typical situation Bessarabian’s nobles in early nineteenth century.
 

      During these 3 years in Kishinev the poet wrote the following poems: "The Gypsies", "The Black Shawl", "To Ovid", "The faithful Greek woman does not cry", the first episode of the famous poem “Eugene Onegin”, etc., which are universally valued. While in Kishinev Pushkin was often present among the elite of our cultural world and the classic writers of Romanian literature: C. Stamati, C. Negruzzi, Donici Family, etc.

      The Pushkin’s places are worth being visited not only because the great Pushkin made them famous, but also because by themselves the places are unique and worthy of attention.  Kishinev’s small houses dating from the least 150 years ago are still there. It is a beautiful place with its special spirit and meandering streets. Here – Pushkin House-Museum and other are situated. These are unique houses. There are only two such extant houses where the poet lived. One is in Kishinev and another - in St. Petersburg.

      As a part of accepted zoning for Historical Pushkin Zone a vibrant marketplace for local artists and craftspeople and museum visitors was proposed on adjacent to Pushkin Museum lot of former Kalinin Experimental Plant.  The proposed development would bring new life and income to this historical district of the city, at the same time buffering Pushkin Museum complex from ongoing modern city development, sustaining and preserving human scale of historical urban environment including red lines of old streets, historical houses, and elements of urban landscape.

     Special attention was paid to use of sustainable local traditional construction and ground covering materials including stone, wood, cast iron, roof tile, cobble-stone pavement and crushed brick. Proposal assumed only high-density/low-rise buildings for areas assigned for new residential construction on other adjacent lots and limitation to transport traffic allowing traffic only for service and private vehicles.

      Local artists and craftsmen could showcase their exquisite painting, porcelain, chic leatherwork, original fashions, rich woodwork, exotic jewelry, willow waiving and etc. in the heart of the historical part of the city. Proposal also included placement of food services, art boutiques, craft shops and public bathrooms on adjacent lot. There was also a small stage for street musicians, artists, poets and writers where they could share their talent, making some livings and entertain public and tourists.  Art and Craft Market would be the perfect opportunity for holiday shopping for original gifts and souvenirs, making a day of it with friends, sharing the festive atmosphere, and meeting the artists.