Ufa Residents Split on Demolition Plans for High-Rises

The Yuryuzan microdistrict in Ufa, located behind the Ikhlas Mosque, is set to change dramatically in the coming years: old private houses are planned for demolition, to be replaced by high-rises and social facilities. In total, about 350 people live in these houses, but not everyone is willing to leave their homes — and even those who are plan to sue the developer. UFA1.RU walked through the area and asked locals what they are fighting for.

Large houses already exist in this area, built quite some time ago — in the late 2000s, early 2010s. Back then, developers weren«t building skyscrapers. They followed the principle of previous years: constructing several small houses where ordinary Ufa residents could buy apartments.

Walking along Belorechenskaya Street, which is also part of the demolition project, we notice houses under construction. It seems that residents of the village-like houses wouldn«t mind moving to more comfortable conditions.

However, to find this out, we had to walk a lot: some houses are already abandoned, evident from the snowdrifts piled up in front of gates and wickets. At first, we thought it would be easier to find interlocutors in summer, but it«s precisely the tracks in the snow that show where people still live.

One plot looked as if the owners had nothing to hide — the door to the anteroom wide open. But the windows were closed.

In some houses, simply no one opened. In one, the door was opened by a dog — it seemed as if it had knocked it open with its paw, just to shoo us away. In another, a local greeted us from the window but said he was «cooking food,» so couldn«t spare attention. Apparently, he isn»t too worried about the upcoming demolition.

Meanwhile, some houses are divided into separate living zones (apartments). In one such house, we spoke with a married couple — according to them, a representative from the developer had already visited, and they discussed the terms of the deal. But the residents didn«t like them.

«The developer is offering very little. With this money, you can buy a one-room apartment at most. We have 3.3 sotki (330 square meters), they offered us 1 million rubles (approx. $10,000 at current rates) per sotka. Well, that»s a laughable amount. I think many will refuse,« the man stated.

Here, we looked at a listings website and estimated what you could buy for up to 5 million rubles (approx. $50,000): residents would get 3.3 million for the land, plus compensation for the house. Perhaps it would reach five million.

So, the choice around is indeed limited — one-room apartments of 30-40 square meters on the secondary market, or a 19-square-meter studio in a new building.

Previously, our interlocutors« family lived in a private house on Duvansky Boulevard, then moved to an apartment on Oktyabrskoy Revolyutsii and faced resettlement. As a result, in 2020 they bought housing here. They believe that life in their own house is better than in an apartment: they say that even utilities are cheaper, and they have gas heating, which they can turn on even in summer.

On the plot — a vegetable garden where they grow tomatoes and cucumbers, then pickle them for winter. Essentially, they spend less on groceries.

The house residents say that their neighbors will surely refuse the offer because many live there, and the sum is calculated not per resident.

Therefore, they are all ready to go to court to secure the most favorable sum for themselves. At the same time, residents note that they are willing to move, but on their own terms: three million rubles (approx. $30,000) per sotka, plus 150 thousand rubles (approx. $1,500) per square meter of the house.

«Our acquaintances on Pugachyova had 4 sotki taken away. The city offered 1.4 million rubles (approx. $14,000) for everything. Through the court, they achieved 2.4 million rubles (approx. $24,000) per sotka. If necessary, we»ll hire a lawyer,« the man noted.

In favor of life in such village-like districts, the man argued that new buildings don«t have proper parking.

«In the evening, you come and think where to park your car, but here — I come and calmly park [in front of the gates], I have no problems with that. My yard area is cleaned, not like in courtyards. My neighbor over there has a KAMAZ. Just think, where would he park it there?» declared the house resident.

We also spoke with a pensioner who was repairing his GAZelle. He bought a house on the same street in the 1970s. And he has a completely different opinion on the situation.

«I generally agree to move. No one has contacted me yet because I»m rarely here; I have another house in the village, and I live there. I think everyone here will agree to leave. Personally, I«m already tired of the house, although it»s okay here: there«s gas, water too, a toilet in the house, not bad. But in old age, I»m tired of repairing — one thing, another, the bathhouse is half-rotten already, and to change it… since everything here is under demolition. Extra expenses. If there«s an opportunity to move to an apartment, I»ll move,« the pensioner shared.

On another street, we met a man who went out for a walk in 16-degree frost (-16°C, 3°F) as if spring had already begun. He was initially accompanied by a small dog running around the houses, then a neighbor passed by in a GAZelle — hearing about the purpose of our visit, he answered briefly: «Depends on how much they offer.»

The dog«s owner called the cost »a million per sotka« normal, since many here have 5-6 sotki. When asked if he wants to move to an apartment, the man explained with an example why it»s a bad option.

«My wife and I discussed this. Look — take the residential complex »Simvol« (it»s visible from this street. — editor«s note), a one-room apartment there costs 15 million rubles (approx. $150,000). Well, let»s take this house [under construction] — 60 square meters, 9.1 million rubles (approx. $91,000), rough finish,« the resident explained.

Our interlocutor says that with his wife, they decided to take land and build a house on it. They don«t want to buy a ready-made one.

«I like to think through the layout myself. When you build for yourself, you know what you»ll do, how everything will look. Nowadays, you rarely find a house that isn«t cold but normal. With materials, they deceive. They build from cheap ones, but the price is astronomical. So I think to build it myself,» the man said.

We walked along several more streets. Around — silence, cars rarely pass. Such calm is rarely found in the city nowadays, so quarters with private sector start to be appreciated more and more: for the lack of hustle, the smell of wood burning in the stove, even for the bark of ill-mannered dogs.

And from here, beautiful views of the city open up.

The total area of the territory slated for demolition is 8.7 thousand square meters. The start of renovation work in the quarter is planned for 2026.