#ARCTIC. #SIBERIA. THIS IS TAIMYR. Scientists and experts from the Vostokgosplan agency are supervising the creating of a master plan for the development of Norilsk. The institution’s main activity is to carry out research and expert-analytical work in the field of socio-economic development of the Far East and the Arctic.
In 2022, at the Eastern Economic Forum, three master plans, developed with the participation of Vostokgosplan experts, were included in the top ten.
Let us recall that Dikson, Dudinka, Igarka and Norilsk are included in the list of support territories of the Arctic, for which updated development plans will be developed in 2024.
The creation of a set of measures for the modernization of Norilsk and Dudinka will be supervised by Taimyr researchers who know this unique land well: the Vostokgosplan director, Russian economist, author of a number of works and methods that have already been successfully implemented in the Far East and the Arctic, polar explorer-instructor Mikhail Kuznetsov and the Vostokgosplan institution’s Digital Transformation and Sustainable Development direction’s head, polar explorer-instructor Maria Nikishova.
Our guests are participants in the scientific expeditions Nordvik-2023 and Clean Arctic – Vostok-77. They study the current state of the Taimyr settlements’ infrastructure, transport, supply of goods and products, regulation of prices on store shelves.
“We are now participating in the creation of a master plan for the development of the Norilsk-Dudinka agglomeration. And our focus is not only on the development of industry, housing and communal services, business, tourism, but also the income and life of indigenous peoples”, said Mikhail Kuznetsov. “The future master plan is primarily focused on increasing the level of living comfort of the population: so that young people remain in Taimyr, and fresh forces of young specialists effectively join the Norilsk and Dudinsky teams, as it was during the USSR period”.
Maria Nikishova added that as a result of the expedition, economic models of modern life and economy of the indigenous peoples of the North were created, describing scenarios for their integration into the peninsula’s economic life.
“The master plan will provide for measures to involve indigenous peoples and the Russian old-timer population in the processes of city development – this is an increase in the purchase of fishing, reindeer herding and hunting products, support for ethnic camps and tourist attractions for the local population and tourists”, shared Maria Nikishova.
Measures to improve the region will describe areas of support for small businesses in Norilsk and Dudinka, repair and construction areas, measures to develop transport and opportunities for creating jobs with wages above the regional average.
During the preparation and collection of data for work on the master plan, many interesting and even extreme events occurred. The scientists have fully experienced the severity of the Far North climate: last year, an all-terrain vehicle with the Nordvik-2023 expedition participants fell through the ice on the Yenisey, they were unable to get the car out on their own, and the travelers called the Ministry of Emergency Situations – help arrived quickly. The scientists said that they objectively assessed their chances of dying, since they found themselves in minus 40 degrees in a piercing wind far from their homes. They are confident that Taimyr rescuers saved their lives.
In general, Mikhail Kuznetsov noted that tourism in our region is not yet very developed and more attention should be paid to this. This is not only jobs for locals, but also weekend tourism for Dudinka and Norilsk residents.
The expedition representatives study a lot of life and culture of small peoples of other regions. Comparing the lives of indigenous representatives of the Far East and the Arctic, scientists noted that they have both differences and commonality.
“In general, I would note the mentality. The northern peoples have mutual aid in their blood; it’s like a principle: not to help means committing a crime. This is most noticeable in the Arctic regions, because here a person, if he gets into trouble, cannot help himself; the harsh climate, frost, and lack of civilization can cost a person his life”, Mikhail noted. “And as for differences… Well, this is a very different way of managing. Nanai peoplein the Habarovsk region, for example, showed us unique things made of fish skin, which are made only here using ancient and secret technology; there is nothing like this anywhere in the North.”
The expedition members have already returned to the capital, but the study of Taimyr and the Arctic is an endless and uninterrupted process, and scientists still have many new amazing and useful discoveries ahead. And there is no doubt that the competent and professional team’s proposals and developments will become an invaluable contribution to the development of our region.
Earlier, the This Is Taimyr reported that the all-terrain vehicle tester got the Polar Explorer-Instructor badge before the expedition to Mangazeya and Hatanga.
Text: Polina Bardik, Photo: Denis Kozhevnikov
