In connection with the planned hosting of the APEC 2012 summit on Russky Island, which is separated from Vladivostok by the East Bosporus strait, major infrastructure development will be carried out there. Asphalt roads, modern hotels, a huge press center, a retreat house and many other things will appear on the island
So far, there are more problems than solutions to them. Firstly, the concept for using the island after the summit is constantly changing. Secondly, a necessary element of the development is a bridge over the East Bosporus strait, which will connect the island with the mainland, is unlikely to be built in time.
A year ago, the idea of creating on the island a special economic zone for tourism and recreation was discussed. Then it was planned that the infrastructure built on the island for the summit would form the basis of a future gambling zone - one of four areas within Russia. But, in June this year, Russian Regional Development Minister Dmitry Kozak said that this plan will not go ahead. Instead, the island will become an oasis of higher education and academic science – the Pacific Scientific and Educational Center. The center, in turn, will consist of two elements: the Far Eastern Federal University (FEFU), which is due to be set up on the basis of the Far Eastern State University (FESU) - the largest university in the district, located in Vladivostok - and the science park of the local branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences.
According to the FESU rector Vladimir Kurilov, construction of the facilities of the future FEFU will begin on Russky Island in 2009. The facilities will have a dual purpose: firstly, they will be used to hold the summit and then given to the university.
Finally, in the same area of the island it is also planned to build a wildlife park containing Ussuri tigers, deer, roe deer, bears, and possibly Far Eastern leopards – the rarest cats on the planet; there are only 30-40 remaining in the Khasan district of Primorsky Krai.
In general, the plans for hosting the APEC summit provoked an unprecedented flight of fantasy from officials, builders and planners of all stripes. The problem is that to meet the leaders of the Asia-Pacific region on the island it is necessary not only to turn it into a modern town with the necessary business infrastructure, but also to link this piece of land, floating in the ocean, with the mainland - that is, with Vladivostok. A bridge across the East Bosporus Strait is designed to perform this function. However, Victor Grebnev, a highly experienced and respected bridge builder from the region, said yesterday that it is unrealistic to build a bridge to Russky Island in time for the APEC summit.
Obviously, the construction of a bridge to the island will show why Russia is so keen to hold the summit in Vladivostok. If image and the desire to show the island's possibilities are regarded as of primary importance, then Russia will try to build the bridge at any cost, but on time. In any, if the plans to establish on the island the Pacific Science and Education Center are to be realized, the bridge, of course, will have to be built.
Vasiliy Avchenko
Photo: ITAR-TASS
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