TOMSK, Russia -- On side streets all over this riverfront city are wooden buildings erected before Communism and now in various states of decay. As Tomsk prospers from the trade in the region's natural resources, pressure is growing for new real estate projects, especially in the commercial center. What to do about the gingerbread houses?

Some are already gone, demolished and replaced by the usual high-rise apartments and supermarkets and offices. Yet 1,800 or so remain, and their fate is emblematic of the struggle across Russia to balance the preservation of architectural treasures with the demands for development now that the economy is surging.

"This is the problem: preserving a unique layer of Russian culture that is disappearing, that is being pushed out by reinforced concrete and stone," Mr. Zakotnov said. "Actually, this is a problem for all Russian cities, having a downtown area that is being covered by modern structures."

Mr. Zakotnov is hoping that a third of the wooden buildings can be saved and restored, creating a historic district that might even lure tourists to Tomsk, which is four hours away from Moscow by plane. It is not as far-fetched as it sounds.