Zelenograd

Zelenograd (Russian: Зеленогра́д, lit. Green City) is a city with special status within Moscow, Russia, which, along with the territories and settlements under its jurisdiction, forms one of the administrative okrugs of Moscow^[1] (called "City of Zelenograd"^[2]). It is located forty kilometers from the center of the Russian capital. Until 1991, Zelenograd was officially a closed city.

Zelenograd was built in 1958 as a reflection of the U.S. Silicon Valley. It was one of the most powerful centers of electronics, microelectronics and computer industry in the former Soviet Union, and it still plays a similar role in modern Russia. Some residents attest and writings suggest that the concept of building a high tech geographical satellite of Moscow was conceived of by two Silicon Valley engineers who pitched the idea to the Russian government. As Zelenograd was built de novo on a previously empty, forested place, its architecture and civic layout yields to one general architectural plan.

Zelenograd is the home to the Moscow Institute of Electronic Technology (MIET).

The present-day site of Zelenograd incorporates the former village of Kryukovo, site of a famous World War II battle during the defense of Moscow. It was here that the Red Army began its counter-offensive that turned the Germans back from the capital.