How Modern Technologies Are Helping Russian Cities Get Through Winter
In Moscow, a mobile app is used to fight ice, while 3D printers are producing building panels for new homes.
Innovative technologies are being actively deployed in Moscow’s urban environment. One solution helping the city cope with harsh winter conditions is an automated anti-icing system. An electronic unit with a heating cable is installed on rooftops.
The system analyzes environmental conditions, temperature, and data from its own sensors. When specific thresholds are detected, such as extreme cold, the heating mechanism is activated. This prevents ice buildup on roofs and the formation of icicles and, because it operates on demand, significantly reduces energy consumption.
Homes With 3D-Printed Walls
Another digital innovation for urban infrastructure is the construction of buildings and concrete structures made using 3D printing. The technology is designed so that the outer shell provides structural strength, while the inner layer helps retain heat indoors. Such designs significantly speed up construction and help cut heating costs.
The projects were presented by Moscow-based entrepreneurs who received support from the city government as participants in the Innovators Academy program. These initiatives are just part of a broader set of solutions developed by Russian companies to modernize urban services. After being tested in the capital, many of them are later adopted by other regions.
