The campus of the Graduate School of Management of Saint Petersburg University “Mikhailovskaya Dacha” is an outstanding example of how carefully renovated classic architecture, unique park and up-to-date technology may give a new life to a historical site. Olga Dergunova, Deputy President and Chairman of VTB Bank Management Board, GSOM SPbU Director told the participants of the Nasledie Youth Forum about the details and subtleties of turning the former grand-ducal residence into the country's best university campus.

In 2006, when it was decided to locate the GSOM SPbU academic building, dormitories and student club in this place between Peterhof and Strelna, there were only ruins and abandoned park. Now it is the campus of one of the leading business schools in Europe. Advanced technologies and innovations in construction and design delicately fit in the natural park and 19th-century classic architecture. So now students live and learn in a fashionable, modern space with history.

"When adapting cultural heritage objects for new uses, it is impossible to comply with all requirements and build a world-class campus using standard solutions. For this ambitious project, we developed a unique management model with transparent and predictable processes. Inventive construction solutions together with engagement of the best Russian architects, financing through the federal targeted investment program and implementation on the basis of Saint Petersburg University allowed Mikhailovskaya Dacha to become the country's best campus. An ultra-modern complex with a digital learning environment, comfortable dormitories and sports infrastructure is located on the territory of the former residence. Thanks to such an aesthetic environment students learn to respect the culture and desire to multiply and develop cultural heritage", — shared Olga Dergunova at the plenary session "Struggle for Heritage: New Meanings and Challenges". 

Watch the video about the GSOM SPbU Mikhailovskaya Dacha campus in the series "New Age. New Russia" dedicated to 21st century construction projects and significant achievements in science, education and construction in Russia.

Deputy President and Chairman of VTB Bank Management Board, GSOM SPbU Director also advised young restoration specialists and architects to remember that any creative solution is always followed by financing: "When it comes to reconstruction of cultural heritage objects, you, as authors, will always face a dilemma: use typical solutions to develop the project or create a financial model that would support non-standard solutions. Don't forget to invite an expert in finance or economics to your team at the very beginning to calculate the financial model of further development of the objects".

The correct approach to the management of territory development projects would be a complex one, that takes into account a set of such elements as traditional city infrastructure, smart technologies, Data Science and people using these technologies. This is what the smart city concept is based on. These are the principles applied by the Graduate School of Management of SPbU when training professionals in city development management under the conditions of digitalization and implementation of smart city management. Students of the Smart City Management program master the skills of management of urban area development, modern methods of smart city management architecture analysis and data analysis approaches.