vlad.tribnet.com / Issue #615 / Opinion / Reading article...

The federal officials keep visiting Vladivostok to inspect the preparation works for the planned APEC-2012 summit while the city’s main document - the general plan for the city’s construction and development - has not so far been approved and accepted.

The most recent visit was paid by Oleg Safonov, presidential envoy to the Russian Far Eastern District, who arrived in Vladivostok on Saturday causing traffic jams on roads and panic among local officials.

Safonov harshly criticized the city’s administration for the absence of concrete actions – the general plan of Vladivostok’s development had to be finalized and signed on March 29 but it was not.

“I am dissatisfied with the state of things in Vladivostok. The general plan is not approved, the city is in terrible condition,” Safonov short-spoke.

It is clear that approval of the general plan of Vladivostok for the following decades is the main task for administrators of the Primorye region and the city of Vladivostok – only after it is confirmed, the construction of projects can be started and the investment from Moscow can be received.

According to Alexander Latkin, professor, doctor of economic sciences, head of Institute of management, economics and business for VGUES University, in different times Vladivostok had different plans and strategies for the city’s development.

First it was designed to become a strategically important military city of Russia in the Pacific Ocean, then in Soviet times the city turned into a large industrial center. According to that policy, the best and most comfortable territories of Vladivostok were given to heavy industries, Latkin noted.

The Dalzavod plant took much territory of a spectacular bay of Zolotoi Rog, Dalpribor plant was placed in a picturesque territory of Vtoraya Rechka while an oil refinery took the best place of Pervaya Rechka territory.

In the 1980-s the concept of Vladivostok development changed again – it was decided that the city should serve as a port city and a large transportation center. The new general plan suggested removing the plants from the city’s best places and creating recreation areas for residents.

“The concept was good but more than 20 years passed without any factual changes, moreover, many chances have been lost,” Latkin revealed. The oil refinery has firmed its positions and cannot be moved, Dalzavod plant is rented out to numerous businesses whose activities are not controlled. The transportation hubs have not been created and huge trading centers mount in downtown Vladivostok instead of green areas. The best recreational territories in Vladivostok – Sanatornaya, Okeanskaya and Sadgorod – are occupied by private cottages carefully fenced from the outsiders.

The plan was good but it was not realized due to low control and the absence of true patriots among officials, Latkin commented. “Look at officials whose cottages occupy the best places and everything will become clear,” he noted.

According to him, the most recent plan of Vladivostok development, designed in 2007, has a number of doubtful concepts. The plan foresees preparation of Vladivostok for the Asian Pacific Economic Cooperation Summit and the development of Russky Island as the venue for the upcoming event.

“It is good that the work has been done to evaluate the state of things in Vladivostok and many of the city’s problems were exposed,” Latkin said. “At the same time costly construction planned for Russky Island does not seem rational,” he added.

Construction of business centers and tourist facilities may be a fine idea but will the residents in the future choose to live on the Island? According to scientists’ estimates, the climatic conditions on the islands near Vladivostok are harsher than in the city itself, with a larger number of foggy and windy days.

With the costs for delivering goods and products, living on the island is more expensive. The remoteness from Vladivostok and only one bridge to connect it with the city will add to the residents’ unwillingness to settle in the territory.

According to Latkin, it could be wise to invest into the development of Vladivostok to solve many of the vital problems like transportation, water systems, sewage, roads and many others.

“It is logical to develop Russky Island as the center for international cooperation, to construct several splendid buildings and hold meetings and symposiums in favorable time. But it is necessary to invest large funds into developing Vladivostok territories, which are more comfortable for residence,” Latkin concluded.