The Master Plan for the integrated development of Baikalsk is a comprehensive document aimed at transforming the town into a dynamic, comfortable place to live in, a vibrant tourism destination as well as an eco-industrial hub. In 2013, the Baikalsk Pulp and Paper Mill (BPPM), previously the town’s main employer while also a huge polluter of Lake Baikal, was finally shut down. The vast territory of the plant and the surrounding areas were in dire need of revitalisation. Most importantly, the town’s economy had to be urgently diversified. The objective of the Master Plan is to transform Baikalsk into a resilient, human-centred place where one has opportunities and environment for personal and professional growth as well as for implementing ideas and innovative projects. The document highlights the importance of environmental awareness and green initiatives throughout the transformation process. The master plan draws on ideas gathered through What Baikalsk Wants, a citizen engagement digital platform that provided 67 actionable insights into making the town more dynamic, welcoming, and engaging. The project provides for over 300 interventions in 8 priority areas, all targeted at a balanced and holistic development of Baikalsk in sync with the strategic vision of In 2013, the Baikalsk by 2040. The key elements of this vision being: - World-class resort. A town with unique brand, an attractive tourism destination featuring modern sports and recreational facilities. - Eco-town. A hub for top-notch sustainable manufacturing. The natural resources of the region open up opportunities for developing industries such as bottled drinking water, harvesting and processing of wild crops and medicinal plants, organic products manufacturing. - Town with modern urban outfitting. In the future, Baikalsk shall feature blocks with low-rise wooden buildings, renovated and upgraded prefab panel blocks as well as modern architecture. - Post-industrial town. Effectively solving the issue of BPPM hazardous waste disposal and exploring opportunities for redeveloping industrial territories taking up about 30% of the urban area. - Accessible town. Upgrading transport infrastructure to connect Baikalsk with the rest of Russia and the world while also developing the town's internal mobility by introducing PRM-friendly infrastructure. - Digital town. State-of-the-art telecommunication facilities managed through a series of digital toolkits and processes. - Town with stunning outdoor public spaces. Well-designed and well-lit streets, parks, and lesser green spaces and a vibrant, elegant lakefront. - Efficient town. Upgraded civil infrastructure, non-disruptive power, heat and water supply, well planned storm water drainage and sewage system. The implementation of the project is expected to increase the population of Baikalsk by up to 30 000 people by 2040. The tourist flow is projected to reach 1.2 million arrivals per year. To attract additional visitors, over 15 km of new pistes and over 100 km eco trails will be built by 2030, enabling economic diversification, boosting small and medium enterprises, and creating over 10 000 jobs locally. The strategy enables sustainable development of the town making Baikalsk a place where people are willing to stay. The project also features the first digital master plan developed in Russia. The web platform highlights the key development trajectories and performance target and features an interactive map of the proposed interventions. This allows residents to learn about the projects being implemented and track the progress while investors can use the platform to engage with project teams.

Yurii Plokhov

Name: Strelka KB
Website: www.strelka-kb.com
Location (Country, City): Moscow, Russia

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