Russia is set to focus on 16 key settlements in the Arctic, developing master plans that incorporate both local input and proven best practices for northern living.
Russian Minister for the Development of the Far East and the Arctic, Alexey Chekunkov, announced this during a meeting of the Council for the Development of the Far East, Arctic, and Antarctic under the Federation Council.
"We have reviewed over 250 solutions and technologies proposed by Arctic regions. The most effective of these will be scaled up during the implementation of the master plans," Chekunkov added.
The Russian Arctic is a global economic region, the Minister stated. "This territory accounts for 20% of Russia's exports. 80% of Russia's gas production is concentrated in Yamal. The Norilsk Combine, a world-class enterprise, is located on the Taimyr Peninsula. Fertilizers are produced on the Kola Peninsula. Hydrocarbon projects are being implemented in the Nenets Autonomous Okrug... The Arctic today feeds Russia and will remain an important economic engine of our development for decades to come," Chekunkov believes. According to him, the Northern Sea Route is an integral part of the development of the Russian Arctic and will allow for the profitable transportation of products produced in the Russian Arctic, where significant industrial investments are being made.
At the same time, the Minister noted that all these tasks fall on just 1% of Russia's population, living in the Arctic zone. "People live here in conditions of polar night, with an average annual temperature of 5-7 degrees Celsius."
The modern paradigm of Arctic development, according to Alexey Chekunkov, is not the same as it used to be. "Sacrifices and feats should remain in the past. We want those who come to the North today to live a full, comfortable, and dignified life. And in this work, we rely on the opinions of the residents themselves."
According to the head of the Ministry for the Development of the Far East, priorities expressed by people - health, comfortable infrastructure, culture, sports, and leisure - should be taken into account. "It should be interesting to live in the Arctic! This is a challenge for us, these are expensive projects, and we are looking for solutions."
Master plans have been adopted for 22 agglomerations in the Far East, which include 25 cities. "These projects are already being implemented. The Arctic is the next most important stage," said Alexey Chekunkov.
According to him, it is necessary to create master plans for 16 key settlements (agglomerations) in the Arctic zone: Murmansk, Monchegorsk, Kem-Belogorsk, Kirovsk-Apatite, Arkhangelsk, Naryan-Mar, Vorkuta, Salekhard-Labytnangi, Dickson, Norilsk-Dudinka, Igarka, Novy Urengoy, Noyabrsk, Tiksi-Nayba, Pevek-Bilibino, and Anadyr.
The Minister suggested that the comprehensive development plan for Norilsk be considered as a model project for an Arctic city. "Norilsk Nickel is taking a major part in its implementation, attracting extra-budgetary investments. Serious issues are being addressed, including ecology, leisure, and improvement."
Alexey Chekunkov thanked Norilsk Nickel for its advance financing of the work. "Indeed, new facilities are being created that are changing people's perception of their city, improving people's quality of life, especially children who have the opportunity to play hockey, swim in the pool, and go to new schools - this is a completely new quality of life."
Within the framework of the adopted master plans, additional facilities for sorting, processing, and recycling solid municipal waste should be built, housing construction should be expanded, and a program for improving courtyards should be implemented, according to the head of the Ministry for the Development of the Far East.
He pointed out the serious costs necessary to solve these problems and the importance of implementing public-private partnership projects. "The example of Norilsk clearly shows what it's like to work on permafrost, where one pile field costs as much as a house in other places," he said.
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