Congratulations from Yuri Altudov, acting rector of KBSU, on International Women’s Day!

The country’s first regional strategic session dedicated to social architecture was held in Nalchik. Kabardino-Balkarian State University named after Kh.M. Berbekov (KBSU) actively participated in the event, serving as an expert partner in developing strategic solutions for tourism development in the republic.

Kabardino-Balkaria became a pilot region, the first in the country to adopt the decision to integrate social and architectural approaches into the daily work of ministries, agencies, and municipalities. Representatives of federal and regional government bodies, the expert community, and youth organizations discussed issues of integrated territorial development based on the analysis of social processes, strengthening social institutions, developing value orientations, and improving the urban and rural environment. Particular emphasis was placed on the role of young people, who are viewed not as an audience, but as co-authors of the solutions being developed.

The event was supported by the Office of the Presidential Plenipotentiary Envoy to the North Caucasus Federal District and the Mashuk Knowledge Center.

The opening was attended by Kazbek Kokov, head of the Kabardino-Balkarian Republic; Alexey Semenov, deputy head of the Presidential Executive Office for Monitoring and Analysis of Social Processes; and Andrey Karpov, head of the Department of the Office of the Presidential Plenipotentiary Envoy to the North Caucasus Federal District. Anton Serikov, director of the Mashuk Knowledge Center, addressed the participants via videoconference.

«The Kabardino-Balkarian Republic has proposed becoming a pilot region for integrating social architecture into regional governance practices. Russian President Vladimir Putin has called social architecture a sought-after and promising area that helps unlock the potential of territories and promptly respond to public needs. This is a new management format for the country,» noted Kazbek Kokov, Head of the Region.

During the first stage of the session, KBSU representatives worked in the «Tourism» section. The university’s participants included Ramazan Ligidov, director of the Institute of Management, Tourism, and Hospitality at KBSU; Stanislav Kushchev, senior lecturer and head of the Russian Geographical Society Youth Club; and Inar Inarokov, fourth-year student.

During the brainstorming session, the team identified the key problem holding the industry back:

«Institutional insufficiency and interdepartmental disunity block the implementation of human capital in the development of tourism infrastructure.»

Commenting on the problem, Ramazan Ligidov, director of the Institute of Management, Tourism, and Hospitality at KBSU, emphasized:

«Institutional insufficiency manifests itself in the lack of uniform standards, blurred authority, and incoherence between departments. Interdepartmental disunity hinders the effective use of human capital: local residents with a tradition of hospitality are not involved in legal tourism activities. As a result, infrastructure development is hindered, and the region’s unique cultural potential remains under-monetized.»
During the second stage of the session, 10 teams developed project solutions in key areas. Led by moderator Ramazan Ligidov, the team presented a concept for transforming the town of Tyrnyauz from a transit point into a full-fledged tourist center in the Elbrus region.

The Tyrnyauz working group also included Azamat Afashokov, head of the urban settlement; Zurab Berelidze, director of the KBSU Center for Sustainable Development; and Aslan Etezov, specialist at the youth center. Participants analyzed development barriers (infrastructure limitations, investment climate, and visual image) and proposed a range of project solutions. First, the cluster’s infrastructure development, the creation of an inbound tourism hub, and the implementation of a unified architectural design code to create a recognizable image for the town. Second, the El-Dzhurt festival venue—a space for federal-level events in the unique climatic conditions of the gorge, including the development of event tourism and eco-trails. Third, the creation of the Tyutyusu high-mountain rehabilitation center and the development of medical tourism using natural resources.

«We’re not inventing anything artificial. Tyrnyauz already possesses colossal potential: unique historical locations, the rich history of a mining town, and picturesque gorges. Our goal is to unite these assets into a unified system. The main beneficiaries of the project are the residents of Tyrnyauz, especially the youth,» said Ramazan Ligidov.

The project’s implementation will increase tourism, create new jobs, improve the city’s infrastructure, and attract additional financial resources to the city’s gross product.

Project development is entering its final stage. From May 11 to 13, 2026, all participants will meet at the Mashuk Knowledge Center in Pyatigorsk. At the All-Russian Personnel Training Center, with the support of federal experts, the presented range of solutions will be transformed.

After revision, the Tyrnyauz project will be recommended for inclusion in the comprehensive socio-economic development plan of the Kabardino-Balkarian Republic.

The strategic session was organized by the Ministry of Youth Affairs of Kabardino-Balkaria and the Elbrus Corporate University.