The Arctic region is a truly unique place. Biological, energy and mineral resources are concentrated here, which will determine the future of mankind. The study revealed the advantages and problems of the Arctic. Among which, it is important to highlight one of the predicted problems, this is an increase in ocean level. Due to climate changes, there is a possibility of significant flooding of territories. Thus, when the ocean level rises by 50 m, the coastline will change significantly and most of the coastal mainland territories will go under water. In this case, humanity will have to look for other alternatives, which can be, in particular, islands and archipelagos, including Arctic ones.
Taking into account possible climatic changes and the advantages of the territory, the Novaya Zemlya Archipelago, Severny Island, Pospelova Bay were chosen as the design location. One of the important selection criteria was the position of this territory relative to the Northern Sea Route (NSR), as the main artery of development. Another selection criterion was the presence of significant minerals in the region. The third selection criterion was the duration of the navigation period of the NSR. In addition, proximity to the Barents and Kara Seas has also become an important factor when choosing a territory.
As a result of the conducted research and assessment of the potential of the Novaya Zemlya Archipelago, it was decided to do a more comprehensive work, therefore, as the first stage of the project, a settlement system was developed. This decision was justified by the fact that the design area has good potential and the development of an urban planning model provides an opportunity to more effectively disclose it. In addition, the creation of a settlement system initially allows you to get a more complete idea of the specifics of the area and its potential, as well as take into account all the factors affecting the comfort of living.
The model of the settlement system was developed, as mentioned earlier, taking into account the possibility of its further extension to other islands of the Arctic groups and taking into account its possibility of development and expansion. It is a structure based on a rigid grid, which consists of several levels and minimally affects the ground. All the main functions are located in the aboveground part of the settlement, which is located at + 10,900 m from ground level. All parts of this level will be connected by transit pedestrian corridors, where thus the upper part of the settlement becomes intended only for pedestrians and at this level everything will be located in a comfortable walking distance. Moving along the corridors of the upper level, a person will be able to comfortably get to any point of the route without going outside. Here, on the way of transits, he can spend his time in a mini greenhouse, admire the viewpoints opening out to the sea. The lower level, the Ground level will be subject to minimal human impact, it will be designed to communicate with nature and the environment of the settlement. Also, active sports and entertainment will be held at this level. In winter, activities such as skiing, ice skating, curling, snow skating, dog riding and other winter fun will be held. Events suitable for summer weather conditions will be organized in the summer. An important function of the lower level will be sports facilities, such as stadiums, which in case of emergencies can become a shelter for residents of the settlement. There will be food and water supplies, mini-generators and other devices for survival while waiting for the help of rescuers.
The functional content of the settlement will meet all the requirements of comfort and energy efficiency.
The settlement is an innovative hub located on the route of the Northern Sea Route. One of the most important functional programs of the settlement is the maintenance of the NSR. In the settlement there is a port, an airfield and repair stations (The port is one of the most important points of application of labor. The creation of infrastructure around the port (in particular housing and recreational facilities) will be the first stage in the creation of the settlement. With further development, the settlement will become innovative, it will house research stations located under the water surface. Servers and crypto farms will be located 50m from the coastline in the settlement. This location is not chosen by chance, because server maintenance is interactive and they need quick access from the port.
In order to ensure autonomy, the settlement will house agricultural filling facilities, production facilities necessary for life support, medical modules, etc. An equally important role will be played by the scientific component of the settlement, which includes various educational and research functions, including schools, research institutes and climate change monitoring stations. In addition, scientific functions will also affect the technical part of the settlement and cybersecurity centers will be created. Of course, recreational facilities will also be located in the settlement, which, among other things, will have a unique character. For example, an object such as the northernmost gaming club will become the entertainment center of the settlement and a landmark place. The largest percentage of buildings will be occupied by residential buildings.
Urban planning principles of the settlement, pay special attention to environmental sustainability, walking distance and autonomy.
The first of the basic principles is environmental sustainability. The upper level of the settlement, placed on stilts, minimizes interference with the surrounding nature. This makes it possible to preserve natural ecosystems and landscapes, since the main objects are connected by pedestrian galleries. Construction on stilts contributes to the preservation of natural spaces, ensuring natural air circulation.
The next important principle is autonomy. The settlement strives for full autonomy in the field of energy, water supply and waste management. The use of renewable energy sources, such as solar and wind energy, provides an independent and stable energy supply for the settlement. Water collection and purification systems ensure a sustainable water supply, and innovative waste management methods contribute to reducing the negative impact on the environment.
Another principle is functional mixing. The settlement puts an emphasis on social mixing and diversity. Residential buildings, commercial facilities and public spaces of various functions coexist side by side. This contributes to the creation of a diverse and inclusive community where people of different social groups and interests can interact and meet.
Flexibility and adaptability are also one of the main urban planning principles of the settlement. Urban planning solutions provide for the possibility of changes and modifications in the future to take into account changing needs and technological innovations, which ensures the sustainability and durability of the settlement in the long term.
Sustainable mobility. The settlement actively supports sustainable modes of transport and encourages public and environmentally friendly mobility. Pedestrian galleries and monorails provide convenient alternatives to automobile traffic.
The development of the settlement and city system, their principles and features, set the vector for the conceptual, constructive, technological directions of the formation of a residential building. The residential building will consist of a system in which residential modules that are assembled in advance at the factory will be installed. As in the settlement, the main principle of a residential building is modularity. The formation of the structure occurs spontaneously and develops according to its own principles, like a living organism. The principles of the house are based on the fact that the community inside the house has strong social ties, and as it should be, a society that is in extreme conditions will be united and be in good neighborly relations. At the same time, also, the concept of the house does not ignore the private life of each tenant. Therefore, there is a main core in the house - the heart of the house, where public functions are located and active communication of residents takes place. For example, in the public core there are saunas, a gym, a bar, areas of joint creativity, karaoke, coworking areas, game rooms for children, etc. Modules with a private life stick around this public core, where residents can take a break from socializing and retire to their own everyday life.
The settlement system from one independent element can grow into a whole city. So during the development of the project, the system was extended to the entire design site, Pospelov Bay, and organized a whole city. Since the appearance of such cities, especially in the Arctic, appeals to great economic interests, the development took into account the scenario when different parts of the city fall under the influence of various large corporations of the Russian Federation, which will contribute to the development of the city.
For example, the part of the city that will be controlled by Rostatom is characterized by a large number of research centers and stations. Rostatom actively develops nuclear technologies and conducts research in the field of atomic energy. This helps attract scientists, engineers and specialists to this area, which contributes to the scientific and technological development of the city.
