Experts from Across Russia Gathered in St. Petersburg to Discuss the Future of Arctic Cities.
The Arctic zone of Russia encompasses 9 regions: four fully and five partially. This zone includes territories in the Murmansk region, Nenets, Chukotka, and Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous Okrugs, the Republic of Komi, several districts of the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia), the city of Norilsk, two districts of the Krasnoyarsk Krai, municipal entities in the Arkhangelsk region, as well as five districts of the Republic of Karelia and the Kostomuksha city district. The area of Russian Arctic lands is 4.8 million square kilometers (the total Arctic zone is 9 million), constituting 28% of the country’s total area. About 2.6 million people live in these territories, including over 40 indigenous peoples—more than half of the world’s Arctic population. Besides Russia, only four other countries — USA, Canada, Norway, and Denmark — have Arctic lands. Russia holds a unique position in this list, as its Arctic zone contributes to 12–15% of the country’s GDP and accounts for about a quarter of its exports.
Despite its natural and cultural wealth, unique flora and fauna, strategic importance, and scientific potential, the region is characterized by harsh climatic conditions, complex geology, and underdeveloped infrastructure due to vast distances and sparse population.
Currently, the development of Arctic territories is actively funded. More than 700 projects in the Russian Arctic are being implemented using various government support measures.
On February 9, experts, government representatives, and organizations from various Arctic regions gathered in St. Petersburg to openly discuss plans for spatial development, engineering, and architectural solutions for Arctic cities. The event was organized by the Committee on Arctic Affairs of St. Petersburg.
Participants discussed economic and technical possibilities for creating modern living conditions in the Arctic. They addressed issues related to the peculiarities of comfortable living in the Arctic, the needs of Arctic residents, and the specifics of building urban infrastructure and landscaping in the North.
“The topic we are discussing today has significant social and state importance. For many years, the Arctic has been and remains one of the main drivers of our country’s economic development. Now the country faces important tasks in creating additional conditions for the socio-economic development of the Arctic regions. These tasks include comprehensive infrastructure development, systematic improvement of settlements, ensuring comfortable living for the population, and meeting their needs,” noted Herman Shirokov, Chairman of the Committee on Arctic Affairs in St. Petersburg.
Roundtable participants emphasized that the state is making significant efforts for the development of northern territories, including the development of special programs and economic support measures. The set tasks include creating additional conditions for the socio-economic development of Arctic regions.
“Planning life in the Arctic is a very complex matter. There are indeed several specific factors that distinguish almost all cities and regions. These include low population density, extremely uneven and focal placement of the population, a low level of transport infrastructure, remoteness from the main industrial and cultural centers of the country, unfavorable living and economic conditions, a monolithic economic structure inherited from the Soviet Union, sensitivity to any pollution, and a fragile Arctic environment,” noted Ambassador Nikolay Korchunov, Special Presidential Representative for International Cooperation in the Arctic and Antarctic.
The ambassador also highlighted that the world’s largest free economic zone was created within the Arctic zone of the Russian Federation, and the future of the Arctic lies in smart cities.
According to Rustam Romanenkov, the CEO of the Autonomous Non-profit Organization “Arctic Initiatives,” key areas of scientific interest for the effective development of the Arctic zone of Russia include the development of resources on the Arctic shelf, modeling optimal living conditions in the Far North, and creating a system of medicine and ecology for humans in extreme climatic conditions. However, achieving effective results in these areas seems challenging without considering the cultural aspect.
“We tend to use a modular approach in our work because we usually consider the Arctic primarily from a raw materials perspective. However, there is now a need for a new perspective: when discussing raw material projects, it is important to pay attention to the people involved. After all, the most important question is who will implement these projects? Therefore, the question of culture is increasingly being raised. This is the aspect through which we should look at the North, including the raw material sectors of the economy,” added Rustam Romanenkov.
Experts also discussed current scientific interests related to the development of the Arctic, including the development of resources on the Arctic shelf, the creation of effective living environments, and issues related to medicine and ecology in extreme climatic conditions.
In addition to this, to promote Arctic competencies, the Committee on Arctic Affairs organizes business missions to the regions of the Arctic zone of Russia. During these missions, enterprises and organizations establish mutually beneficial partnerships aimed at implementing projects that contribute to the development of the Arctic territory of Russia.