On May 22, the first Scientific and Practical Interregional Forum with international participation, «The Arctic Our Global Neighbourhood» commenced in Petrozavodsk. The event’s opening session, titled «Arctic Karelia,» was held at the Legislative Assembly of the Republic of Karelia.
Among the speakers was Grigory Isaakovich Revzin, a partner at KB Strelka LLC, who presented a report on the *»Master Plan for the Development of the Kemsko-Belomorskaya Agglomeration.»* He outlined the plan’s development process, explaining that a master plan is essentially «a policy applied to a territory»—a concept similar to the general development plans used in Russia since the 1920s. However, modern master plans also incorporate approaches from New Zealand, British, and Spanish projects implemented in 2016.
Active development of master plans in Russia began only in 2022, following an order from President Vladimir Putin, with a goal of creating 200 such plans. So far, 18 have been completed. Revzin emphasized that the key objective of these plans is to align the interests of local communities with the strategic priorities of the state.
Strategic Importance for Karelia and the Arctic
The master plan for the Kemsko-Belomorskaya agglomeration holds strategic significance not only for Karelia but for the entire Arctic region. As Revzin noted, Arctic settlements serve as key support points for the Northern Sea Route (NSR). Currently, the plan has been approved at the regional level, with the next step being presidential approval—expected by July 1 of this year.
Developing master plans for Arctic settlements presents unique challenges. Many are located in remote areas that have long been neglected by authorities and lack sufficient funding for large-scale infrastructure upgrades or new construction.
Focus on Revitalization
Revzin explained that the Karelian master plan is centered on revitalization. Since 2011, the region has experienced population decline, high unemployment, aging utility networks, and poor water quality.
Geopolitical factors also play a role. The recent expansion of the Leningrad Military District has significantly impacted development plans, as the agglomeration’s population is expected to grow due to an influx of military personnel and their families.
«We must ensure proper living conditions for servicemen, civilians, and their families—including education, work opportunities, and cultural activities,» Revzin stressed.
Key Development Areas
During his presentation, Revzin provided a detailed overview of the plan’s development stages—from data collection to spatial planning, funding analysis, economic feasibility studies, and potential investments.
Key projects include:
- An airstrip in Podužemye
- Year-round resorts on the White Sea, in Kem and Belomorsk
- Two sports centers in these cities
Given the region’s tourism potential—home to destinations like the Solovetsky Islands and Karelian petroglyphs—experts advocate prioritizing this sector. Discussions also touched on the need for year-round navigation in the area.
Challenges and Adjustments
Responding to questions, Revzin noted that combining a tourist port and a *deep-water cargo port* in the same location would be extremely difficult—a topic of ongoing debate in the region.
He also acknowledged that since master planning is a new practice in Russia, there is no dedicated governing body or perfect formula to balance all stakeholders’ interests. «We’ve done our best within tight deadlines, but adjustments may be needed during implementation,» he told Arctic Age.
Community Engagement and Next Steps
Revzin praised the active participation of local residents, who submitted numerous suggestions during a public survey (February 20 – March 5). He also thanked Karelia’s leadership and Petrozavodsk State University for their support in data collection.
«Approval of the master plan is just the beginning. Successful implementation will require coordination across all government levels and project offices,» he concluded.
Forum Sponsors:
- Karelian Investment Company «RBC»
- Segezha Group
- Arctic-2 Data Centers
Добавить комментарий