The Kremlin has communicated a clear directive from Russia’s leadership to speed up the creation and release of regulatory rules that govern how wooden structures, including taller houses, are designed and built. The instruction was issued through official channels and published on the Kremlin site, underscoring a shift in housing policy toward increased use of timber in urban development. The aim is to streamline the regulatory framework so builders, inspectors, and local authorities can work with a unified set of rules when planning and constructing wooden housing projects at greater heights. This move signals a strategic effort to modernize construction norms while ensuring safety and compliance are maintained at every stage of the process.
The document emphasizes accelerating the issuance of regulatory acts and the laws that define the procedures for designing and constructing wooden structures, including high-rise residential buildings. It calls for clarifying the regulatory environment so architects can rely on predictable standards, while regulators can monitor quality, safety, and environmental impact. The overarching intent is to provide a solid legal basis for the use of wooden materials in multi-story projects, aligning technical requirements with safety assessments and building codes that apply to tall timber construction. These steps are described as essential to advancing housing development while protecting residents and neighboring communities. Source attribution: Kremlin site.
The deadline for implementing this instruction is May 1, 2024, marking a concrete timeline for bureaucratic and regulatory actions to be completed. Authorities are expected to publish the necessary laws and procedures within this period, enabling builders and developers to proceed with planning, procurement, and construction under the newly clarified rules. This rapid timeline reflects a determined push to integrate timber into the country’s housing mix and to test the viability of tall wooden structures under updated regulatory standards. Source attribution: Kremlin site.
In August, the Ministry of Construction stated that nine-storey wooden buildings will be pursued after fire safety tests, indicating a staged approach to expanding timber use in tall housing. At present, the legal framework permits the construction of four-story wooden houses, with research, testing, and risk assessments guiding any future elevation. The observed policy trajectory suggests a careful balance between innovation and public safety, with authorities signaling ongoing evaluation of fire resistance, structural integrity, and emergency egress for taller timber designs. Source attribution: Ministry of Construction and corroborating reports.
Earlier this year Izvestia reported that the government had decided to explore pilot projects in which residents living in dilapidated buildings might be resettled into wooden high-rise developments. These pilots would serve to test the practicality of combining urban renewal with timber construction, offering a potential pathway for upgrading aging housing stock while addressing energy efficiency and safety concerns. The discussions point to a broader strategy of revitalizing urban areas through modern timber housing, subject to rigorous safety benchmarks and community planning considerations. Source attribution: Izvestia.
There were earlier reports that demand for rental cottages in Russia had increased, a trend tied to shifts in housing markets and preferences. The government appears to be weighing how timber high-rise initiatives could complement this evolving demand, potentially providing options that blend affordability, energy efficiency, and rapid deployment. The conversation around tall wooden buildings intersects with broader housing and regional development policies, inviting careful analysis of urban planning, infrastructure readiness, and the availability of skilled labor to support timber construction. Source attribution: various official and news outlets.