Work in Moscow city Culture Department
What I was doing, I regarded as a priority for the people of Moscow and the foundation for personal freedoms, personal space and the urban environment".
Kapkov was the force behind the transformation and revival of Moscow's culture. As Moscow's minister of culture (2011–2015), he undertook major urban regeneration initiatives and introduced radically new cultural policies. Under his watch, many public spaces, parks, and riverside areas were revitalized, and new pedestrian zones, street fairs, exhibitions, and music and arts festivals were created.
After Kapkov's reforms and all his battles, regional administrations across the country have suddenly become interested in the renovation of parks and the rejuvenation of public space. In Moscow, many of the positive changes to the fabric of the city are hard to undo, whatever happens. Many people worry there are changes in the air, but hope is far from lost – with some suggesting that if the Europeanisation of Moscow is over, the end of this copycat urban development may not be such a bad thing anyway.
