The President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin held a working meeting with the Governor of the Murmansk region Andrey Chibis. During the meeting, the governor presented to the head of state master plans of the main settlements of the Murmansk region. Their intensive development is the future of the Russian Arctic, which will become even more attractive for life.
Recall that Governor Andrey Chibis proposed to introduce the concept of "supporting Arctic cities" in May 2023 at a meeting of the working group on Arctic development. On behalf of the President, following a visit to the region in July 2023, the Government of the Russian Federation identified 16 main settlements of the Arctic zone of the Russian Federation, for which it is necessary to develop master plans and comprehensive plans for long-term socio-economic development until 2035. This work was carried out as soon as possible – within a year.
The master plans were developed by the Government of the Murmansk region with the support of the Development Institute of the House of the Russian Federation.
"Our main cities include three agglomerations, these are Murmansk, which includes Murmansk, the city of Severomorsk, the capital of the Northern Fleet, the Kola district, as well as the Kirovsko-Apatitskaya agglomeration and Monchegorskaya. In total, more than 70 percent of our population lives in these cities. Of course, we were based on what people want, conducted in–depth opinion polls, a large number of relevant strategic sessions and determined what is most important for our residents," Andrei Chibis stressed.
When developing master plans, the opinions of residents were primarily taken into account: about 11 thousand Northerners and experts gave over 3 thousand proposals. Every Northerner could take part in the collection of proposals and ideas.
Residents of the Murmansk agglomeration solve strategic tasks: they implement important infrastructure projects for the country, ensure security in the Arctic, and develop the Northern Sea Route. Among the most important projects for economic development are the integrated development of the Murmansk transport hub and port infrastructure, gasification, the creation of a cluster–type ship repair complex, a multifunctional transshipment complex and a terminal for transshipment of fertilizers, and more.
Among the key scientific and educational projects of the agglomeration, the governor noted the creation of a world-class campus on the basis of Murmansk Arctic University.
In particular, it is planned to intensify the construction of new housing for Northerners. Agreements have already been concluded on the order of 600 thousand square meters. m with three federal developers. In just 10 years, it is planned to build more than 1 million square meters. m of housing.
The development of the agglomeration requires support in the implementation of a large-scale program of major repairs, further improvement of public and courtyard areas, modernization of the healthcare system, including the construction of two hospitals.
In terms of the Murmansk agglomeration, the creation of sports infrastructure – a football arena, an ice palace, a skate park; major repairs of cultural institutions; reconstruction of the airport and runway; modernization of transport and communal infrastructure.
Among the most important projects of the Kirov-Apatity agglomeration are the development of the Bolshoy Vudyavr ski complex, the creation of a federal sports and training center for the preparation of national sports teams, the development of a branch of the UIA and the Center for Arctic Technologies and Arctic Safety on the basis of the KNC RAS.
"It is important to concentrate scientific research on the Arctic on the basis of the KSC RAS in Apatity, to invest and create the appropriate infrastructure. This is a science city where very serious work is being carried out. Today, in fact, we need a little support for infrastructure development and targeted scientific research," Andrei Chibis said.
Earlier, during a working visit to the Murmansk Region, First Deputy Chairman of the Government of the Russian Federation Denis Manturov presented a large-scale modernization project of the Murmansk Arctic University branch in Apatity with the support of PhosAgro. In particular, it is planned to create an advanced higher school for the training of mining engineers.
The Monchegorsk agglomeration is a powerful mineral resource center that ensures the development of lithium ore deposits for the country, a critically important raw material in the context of import substitution. It produces more than 95% of nickel in Russia.
For the development of agglomeration within the framework of the master plan, support is required in the development of metallurgy and auxiliary industries, the creation of an industrial park, and the production of active cathode materials based on the Kola MMC. It is also planned to create a distributed sports center and a local tourism center here.
"Well, the city of Polar Dawns. There is also a master plan there, we are working with Rosatom. A new nuclear power plant will be built in order to provide energy for all these projects. We have put both the housing and the city in order. That is, it turns out to be a very decent agglomeration," Andrei Chibis noted.
Andrey Chibis noted that a total of over 30,000 new jobs will be created for new projects. In addition, the governor proposed to prioritize the objects of the master plans in the formation of new national projects.
"There are sources, financing needs have been identified, but we have kept a clear principle: for one budget ruble – six rubles of private investment. According to preliminary calculations, the need for budget financing for all three agglomerations for ten years is 554 billion rubles. I ask you to support us in ensuring that the new national projects have a clear fixation – Arctic support cities," the head of the Murmansk Region addressed Vladimir Putin.
/ Ministry of Information Policy of the Murmansk region /
Photo: kremlin.ru