The best capital in the former USSR

[Hochmeister]

There were 15 inscriptions in the Soviet emblem:



The inscriptions in 15 languages, which represented 15 Union Republics of the USSR.

Let’s check out what’s going on there in the 15 capitals of the former Soviet Union and choose the best one.

I have been collecting these time lapse videos for a while, well here you are:


Moscow, Russia




Kiyiv (Kiev), Ukraine




Minsk, Belarus




Vilnius, Lithuania




Riga, Latvia




Tallinn, Estonia




Chişinaú (Kishinev), Moldova




Yerevan, Armenia

[Hochmeister]

Tbilisi, Georgia




Baku, Azerbaijan




Astana (Tselinograd), Kazakhstan




Bishkek (Frunze), Kirghizia

Note: this time lapse video is split. The rest is here: part 2, part 3



Tashkent, Uzbekistan

Note: there are no proper time lapse videos about Tashkent



Ashkhabad, Turkmenia

Note: there are no time lapse videos about Ashkhabad at all



Dushanbe, Tajikistan



P.S. Considering Tashkent and Ashkhabad don’t have time lapse videos, they are not included into the poll.

[alfieb]

Abstaining. Helsinki should be on there. Finland wasn't independent until 1918, and was therefore part of Soviet Russia which existed from 1917, albeit it was not part of the Soviet Union proper, which was founded in 1922.

[RussiaPrussia]

this is so obvious this thread wasnt even necessary hochmeister

[alfieb]

Why is Midgar on there? It's obviously an uber-capitalistic society where a corporation rules their city. [/finalfantasynonsense]

[Hochmeister]

this is so obvious this thread wasnt even necessary hochmeister

It's not obvious to me. I still can't make a decision. Moscow is very impressive but there are too many people. For instance Kiev is a very beautiful and relatively calm city. Ashkhabad seems to be gorgeous and so on.
On the other hand, it's simply interesting to see these cities. Btw, what a great power it is if all these countries would be together, I'm still under great impression after watching.

Wow

[Crn Volk]

I voted Moscow, but notice Kiev is left out??

[Hochmeister]

notice Kiev is left out??

Oops

UPD: I can't edit the poll, probably that's a sign from above
Forgive us, Tschort

[Hochmeister]

Well. Vilnuis is very cold and gray, but interesting architecturally speaking. Riga and Tallinn are more similar in look, but Tallinn looks more provincial. So, I’d say the most beautiful is Riga there in Baltica.

As for relatively new cities as Baku, Astana and Ashkhabad, I’d say Astana looks a bit more cool than Ashkhabad, but Ashkhabad is a more sunny city. Astana is too much spacious, they need a more compact planning. Well, I’d say Ashkhabad looks better than all these “renovated” capitals.

One could put Minsk, Tbilisi, Bishkek, Kishinev and Dushanbe on the same level. And Minsk will win.

If to compare Yerevan and Tashkent, of course Yerevan rules.

Thus: Riga, Ashkhabad, Minsk, Yerevan.
Riga>Minsk
Yerevan>Ashkhabad
Riga>Yerevan

Well, I would finally vote like this:

1. Moscow
2. Kiev
3. Riga

I’ve tried my best to be impartial and still Moscow seems to be the best.

[Yalquzaq]

The most and largest developments have been made in Moscow, Baku and of course Astana which was actually created from scratch.

In addition to these developments, new skyscrapers, infrastructure etc...Baku also has a huge historical heritage (Old City), plus there are many magnificent buildings that were built during the first oil boom. I don't know what makes you think that Baku is a "relatively" new city? As for Ashgabat, it is not a city that can be compared to Baku.