Urban Seafront, Derbent

Derbent is the oldest city in the territory of Russia, and at the same time one of the most dynamically developing. Despite its location on the Caspian Sea, the shoreline has hardly ever been part of urban life, being a reflection of Dagestan’s culture, historically oriented toward the mountains. Today, however, both residents and visitors are rediscovering the unique advantages of the seafront and its potential as a living part of the city.

With Dagestan and Derbent experiencing a tourism boom, the need for seafront development has become evident. The project of a comprehensive seafront reconstruction is designed to breathe life into this underdeveloped area and transform it into one of the city’s new economic drivers.

Designing a seafront promenade in Derbent posed significant challenges. The sea is cut off from the city by a railway, several rows of industrial sites, and dilapidated housing. The concept also had to reflect the city’s unique cultural context and respond to the mentality of its residents.

While studying Derbent’s cultural traditions, the Wowhaus team noted the unique role of courtyards in daily life. Courtyards serve as places for leisure, children’s play, household activities, hosting guests, and celebrating events. Inspired by this, the concept of the “Promenade of a Thousand Courtyards” was developed. It is a sequence of semi-enclosed spaces for rest, shaded from the sun. The design draws upon the architectural heritage of Derbent’s magals (historic quarters) and the Naryn-Kala citadel.

The central functional zone of the new promenade is a tourist hub, connecting visitors arriving by cable car, by sea, or from Lenina Street. This two-level zone includes the main pedestrian promenade on the lower level and the lower station of the cable car on the upper level.

Located along the line of the former city walls, the museum zone will immerse visitors in the history of Derbent. It will feature exhibition pavilions, an open-air lecture hall, and displays of archaeological finds recovered from the Caspian seabed.

The transit area emphasizes quiet recreation, with a key landmark, an observation tower designed as a lighthouse. Since this is the narrowest part of the promenade, additional wooden decks over the water are proposed to expand the pedestrian space.

Bordering residential neighborhoods, the recreational zone focuses on beach activities. It will include several types of beaches such as an open public beach, a more private family beach, along with children’s and sports facilities.