At VDNKh, as part of the international exhibition and forum “Russia”, St. Petersburg Day is held on December 23. Governor Alexander Beglov spoke about megaprojects that are already changing the life of the city, and also joined the all-Russian charity event “Christmas Tree of Wishes” and visited the stand of the Donetsk People’s Republic.
“St. Petersburg is one of many regions that presented their achievements at the exhibition-forum. Of course, all our ideas are supported by the president. We are building a metropolis of the 21st century. We have a historical center that is known all over the world, but we went further and began to build a modern city. We have prepared a story about the achievements at our stand,” the governor addressed the guests of the opening ceremony.
In order to clearly demonstrate the large-scale transformations that have occurred in the city on the Neva over the past twenty years, four directions were chosen: within the framework of the “Open City” it is shown how old buildings have found new life; “Smart City” is dedicated to the development of import substitution, shipbuilding, and unmanned aerial systems; “Social City” introduces changes in health care and education for St. Petersburg residents; “Comfortable City” indicates reaching a new environmental and transport level.
Among the key projects that are currently being implemented in St. Petersburg, Beglov noted the development of a transport hub – it reflects the integration of the city and region and the creation of a single agglomeration. In particular, the construction of the first drawbridge in 40 years begins, which will make life more comfortable for 800 thousand St. Petersburg residents, work is underway to build a 24-kilometer tram route Kupchino-Shushary-Slavyanka, which will ensure the development of the southern planning zone and will serve 36 thousand people per day. The most important project is also the construction of a high-speed railway “Moscow – St. Petersburg”, which will allow you to travel between the two capitals in 2.5 hours, and get from Veliky Novgorod to St. Petersburg in 30 minutes.
“Our city is an industrial metropolis, but in addition to industry, we also need a scientific base, young personnel and students. We invite smart heads to our city: ITMO Highpark in the satellite city of Yuzhny is a world-class innovative sector with an area of 86 hectares, six thousand students, 12 thousand specialists,” the governor emphasized, adding that St. Petersburg is investing in education and children and the future generation 300 billion rubles.
Beglov also spent time talking about a special recreation area that will appear in the very near future – a seaside resort in the village of Gorskaya, where you can spend time with family and friends all year round. It is planned that more than one million guests will be able to come here annually; a landscaped embankment, walking and park areas, swimming pools, and a five-kilometer sandy beach will appear on the territory.
According to the governor, large-scale transformations began in 2002, when the Northern capital celebrated its 300th anniversary. “Then President Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin issued a corresponding decree. This marked the beginning of the revival of St. Petersburg and its construction. Not only the historical center, but also the city of the future! Today they trust St. Petersburg, people come to St. Petersburg. One trillion investments in 2023 is the result of the fact that it is convenient and comfortable to invest money in our beloved city,” Beglov emphasized.
He invited the guests of the stand to carefully examine the modern city, the life of which the exhibition reflects, its industry, mechanical engineering, transport, education, and science. Here you can walk through the historical center and even “walk on the ice of the Moika or Fontanka.”
Beglov also took part in the “Wish Tree” charity event. The governor took balloons with wishes from the children from St. Petersburg and Mariupol from the holiday tree. New Year’s dreams are very different: from an invitation to a football match of your favorite team to a modern synthesizer. According to the head of St. Petersburg, all the children will soon receive the gifts they dreamed of.
At the stand of the Donetsk People’s Republic, the governor of St. Petersburg was told about the heroic path the region has gone through and what indicators it plans to achieve in the near future. According to Oleg Margun, the acting head of the administration of Mariupol, whose sister city is St. Petersburg, the Northern capital provides the city with comprehensive assistance and support.
Thus, as part of the health campaign in 2023, 2,088 children from Mariupol became participants in the support program; more than 3,000 humanitarian kits, 7 tons of food, and dozens of pieces of special equipment were delivered to the city. Thanks to specialists from the Northern capital, four schools, three kindergartens, nine healthcare facilities and other socially significant institutions were restored.
Source: Rosbalt
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