TWO cities from opposite ends of the world: what could they possibly have in common? Oddly enough, both have been sharing similar trends in their development.
The history of Dar es Salaam, economic capital of Tanzania, needs no introduction for our readers. This time we invite you to uncover a parallel history of Moscow, economic capital of Russia. We’ll see whether these urban centers are truly as polar as they may seem.
Both cities, Moscow and Dar es Salaam, sprung up on the crossroads of traffic and trade.
First mentioned in 1147 Moscow grew at the confluence of two rivers. One of them, the Moskva River that served as one of the major regional waterways of its time and connecting five of the Russian lands’ and wealthiest principalities.
Given that fish and spices were brought from the east, furs traveled from beyond the Ural Mountains, grain flowed in from the south, while land trade with Europe flourished. Slowly, the region accumulated enviable resources, promising stable growth and prosperity.
Both cities, Moscow and Dar es Salaam have boasted the title of state capital.
The rise of Moscow as the center of Russian unity had much to do with the Mongol-Tatar rule over the region. How could these circumstances have helped it grow?
By earning the favor of Batu Khan, Moscow princes won the right to collect taxes from all of the Russian principalities on behalf of the Golden Horde. This allowed Moscow to assert its initial dominance over the other principalities. However, by showing favoritism, the Golden Horde was able to sow discord in the Russian lands.
Moscow’s princes knew they had to find another method of increasing the city’s importance in the eyes of other states. That’s why in 1325 Moscovian Prince Ivan Kalita persuaded Metropolitan Peter to move his residence to Moscow turning it into the spiritual center of the future Russian Orthodox Church.
Ultimately, Moscow was able to unite the Russian lands through the conflict. In 1380 Legendary Moscovian Prince Dmitry Donskoy achieved the first victory over the Mongols by calling upon all of the Russian principalities for support.
The myth of the Golden Horde’s invincibility was dispelled once and for all, allowing just one more century of unification to finally free the Russians. The era of the tatar rule was over by 1480.With this victory Moscow became the capital of a united Rus’ at the end of the 15th century.
Both cities, Moscow and Dar es Salaam have ceded the title of state capital.
However just two centuries later a major shift in the nation’s political landscape lead to the construction of a new capitalSt. Petersburg. In spite of this seemingly major shift, the city remained the heart and soul of the Russian nation. In the second half of the 18th century Moscow became home to the first university founded in Russia.
The famous home of Russian ballet, Bolshoi Theatre was opened in exactly that period as well. Centuries passed before the Russian revolution of 1918: within the next four years, Moscow would become the capital of the newly formed USSR.
Both cities, Moscow and Dar es Salaam, grew and flourished as the economic hubs of their countries.
Europe’s industrial revolution breathed new life into the bustling city: by the end of the 18th century Moscow boasted almost 300 factories. In 1837 the Moscow stock exchange was established.
The emancipation of the serfs in 1861 turned a subjugated class into a virile and hopeful workforce, that was granted mobility with the introduction of the railway. In 1935, the first line of the future biggest metro in the world was launched.
This existing infrastructure and ever-growing workforce created an impressive spring board for the mass industrialization of the USSR. A massive spike in scientific exploration and heavy industry became one of the key factors for Moscow’s survival and victory in the second World War.
A ravaged city rose from the ashes of an invasion thanks to its accumulated industry and a huge number of research institutes. These days the city represents an exciting mix of the USSR’s historical industries and modern eco-friendly enterprises producing robots, smart chips, 3D printers and modern composite materials.
These new techs create a diverse and ever-growing business landscape combined with Russia’s traditional mechanical engineering, road construction, agricultural machinery, light and food industries provided by more than 600 companies in Moscow.
Today’s Moscow is one of the largest agglomerations in the world, with a population of 15 million. A major economic, financial, political, cultural and scientific center, Moscow has a stable and no-debt city budget compared to Tokyo or New York. As one of the largest urban economies in the world, the city remains in the TOP 10 of the largest consumer markets.
The capital holds the leading position in the WeGo and UN ratings in electronic services provision.
Aside from sharing similar history of development, both cities, Moscow and Dar es Salaam, are following a similar urbanization path in the present.
Modern demands for the development of convenient cities are being met in both centers, suggesting an opportunity for cooperation in the areas of smart technologies and industrial innovation.
Having so many things in common two great cities are bound to share the experience in making the life of their citizens safe, secure, comfortable and cozy as well as better presenting themselves to the world as trade, investment, tourism and culture hubs.
A close and deep cooperation between Dar es Salaam and Moscow brings mutual benefits not only to the two cities but to the nations of Russia and Tanzania. So we say Karibu Moscow! Privet Dar!
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