Shunayeva Darya — Minister of Urban Planning and Agglomeration Development of Nizhny Novgorod Region, who took up the post in March 2025. On September 10, 2026, she went on maternity leave; the information was confirmed by the press service of the regional government.[1]
Career and Appointment
Before heading the ministry, Shunayeva worked at the Ministry of Construction of the Russian Federation, and subsequently held the position of Deputy Minister of Urban Planning of Nizhny Novgorod Region.[2] From December 2024 she served as acting head of the department, succeeding Marina Rakova in that role.[1][3] Shunayeva was officially confirmed as minister in the spring of 2025.[2]
By training she is a lawyer, and also a graduate of the "Architects.RF" programme.[2] At the time of her appointment, Nizhny Novgorod Region Deputy Governor Sergey Morozov identified the development of the region through the mechanism of integrated territory development (ITD) as one of the ministry's priority tasks.[2] In the course of her work, Shunayeva also emphasized the importance of low-rise projects and the further development of individual housing construction in Nizhny Novgorod Region.[2]
Acting Duties
During the maternity leave period, leadership of the ministry passed to the First Deputy Minister — Chief Architect of Nizhny Novgorod Region Sergey Popov.[1][2][4] Popov also serves as a permanent expert for the architecture and construction award "Iskusstvo Stroit" ("The Art of Building").[2]
Sources
- NIA "Nizhny Novgorod" — Head of the Nizhny Novgorod Ministry of Urban Development Darya Shunaeva goes on maternity leave: who will replace her (archive)
- GIPERNN — Head of the Nizhny Novgorod Ministry of Urban Development Darya Shunaeva goes on maternity leave
- Zhivyom v Nizhnem — Minister of Urban Development of Nizhny Novgorod Region Darya Shunaeva goes on maternity leave — Zhivyom v Nizhnem (archive)
- Vremya N — Sergey Popov to lead the Nizhny Novgorod Ministry of Urban Development (archive)