Ecopolis - concept for a new city in the Sakhalin Region (RU)

Ecopolis is a new city that will appear on Sakhalin, Russia's largest island on the east coast of Asia. This area has a beneficial geostrategic position. An advanced and ecologically clean city involves the use of energy-saving technologies and unmanned vehicles. The project is aimed at creating a favorable environment for talented professionals who will contribute to the development of the eastern part of Russia. The city will host the largest innovative scientific and educational center of international level and a large logistics center with a special economic zone.

The urban complex will become a driver of the region's economy and will contribute to the development of green energy, the elaboration of technologies and the emergence of new economic sectors in the Sakhalin region, stimulating investment activities and contributing to the strengthening of economic ties in the Asia-Pacific region.

The project's solutions are aimed at preserving, protecting and maintaining the nature of Sakhalin. A new attitude towards the environment and a new sustainable lifestyle are being formed. The city attracts stakeholders who will contribute the development of Ecopolis.

An open international competition was launched to develop an architectural concept for a new model of the city. The participants had to design an eco-friendly city, adapted to the climate of the Sakhalin region, with modern energy-saving technologies. The project must implement the principles of «LEED for neighborhood development».

Consortium, headed by IND Architects and composed of an international multidisciplinary team comprising HPBS, «Knight Frank» JSC, «John Thompson & Partners», «SPI Planning Group», «Concrete Jungle» LLC and «DA! Architects», which became the winner at the international competition for the development of the concept of a new city in the Sakhalin region, sees the main value of the island as its unique ecosystem. The major strategies of the team are sustainability, viability and adaptability.

Ilya Zavaleev, CEO of HPBS, presented the experts a part of the project developed from the point of view of environmental engineering and proposed a number of effective solutions:
● Water-green frame: large number of landscaping and parks provide the city with fresh air and comfortable environmental conditions.
● Stormwater management: large amounts of stormwater are used within the city, minimizing the use of pipes and sewage treatment plants. Filtration surfaces, bio-channels and rainwater collection in houses are used.
● Storm drain management: a large amount of heavy rainfall is applied in the city, the use of pipes and sewage treatment plants is minimized. Filtration surfaces, bio-channels and rainwater collection in houses are employed.
● Innovative urban energy structure: Ecopolis will have a positive balance of energy generation from renewable sources. The main energy is generated by wind parks, which are located at a short distance from the city, the roofs of houses are equipped with solar power plants. The amount of energy generated per year exceeds the volume of consumption. Excess energy is processed into hydrogen with the help of electrolyzers and further used for heating houses in winter. Its unused remainder is sold for ships powered by hydrogen fuel. It is also planned to use wave power plants to generate electricity and subsequently generate hydrogen.

The project was initiated by Sakhalin Oblast Governor Valeriy Limarenko. The work is being carried out by the Sakhalin Oblast Development Corporation, the Ministry of Architecture, the Ministry of Development of the Far East and the Arctic and urban planning of the region. The project is led by the Strategic Development Agency CENTER.

• The project is located 35 km from Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk, the administrative center of the region.
• The project is located 35 km from Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk, the administrative center of the region.
• One million square meters of housing is allocated for the housing stock.
• The planned population of the city by 2030 is expected to reach 25,000 people.
• 15,000 new jobs will be created.
• 9,000 students will be attracted to SakhalinTESN.
• The deadline for project implementation is 7 months.
• The total budget of the competition is 99,950,000 rubles, the prize fund is 17 million rubles, and the cost of the comprehensive study is 30 million rubles.

Main stages of construction:
• The first stage (2022-2024) begins with the student campus zone and the university, which become the driver of the new city's development. A quality environment for study, work, and active daily life is formed.
• The second stage (2025-2027) is the construction of technological and scientific production centers. New comfortable residential districts, modern social and sports facilities appear. A park linking the city with a network of hiking trails is being developed. Interaction with international universities will attract students to the new city and create jobs for them.
• In the third stage (2028-2030) the construction of housing estates and the accompanying infrastructure continues. The preference is given to low-rise buildings. Innovative, LEED-certified concrete is used in the construction of the facades and supporting structures, and the modular construction method is used.

An orthogonal grid is superimposed on the topography, forming a unique pattern. The city adjusts to the natural conditions of Sakhalin and preserves three green areas in the form of forest park areas. The central park connects to the embankment and becomes the heart of the new city. On its territory there are year-round pavilions, restaurants, laboratories, educational and scientific centers. The park pavilions are integrated into the spaces of the city and create places for cultural recreation and the development of urban communities.

The new road network is connected to existing and projected transportation hubs. Streets of urban importance are linked into a single framework. Ecopolis seeks to minimize private transport. An environmentally friendly public transport system is being developed. Introduction to the city of two routes for electric buses, tramway, paths for bicycles and scooters, public water transport.

A unique waterfront is being formed, which is becoming a hallmark of the island city. It combines the concepts of blue economy, mariculture and ecological habitat. On its territory there are objects of recreation, science and ecotourism, as well as a fish exchange, a food distribution center and a food market. The waterfront is adjacent to the port, which will be the "gateway" to the new city.

The Ecopolis will have a positive impact on the nearby and second largest city on Sakhalin, Korsakov. As a result, the cities should become a single ecosystem with common transport and social infrastructure. The main aspects of Ecopolis' sustainable strategy are carbon neutrality, decarbonization, and energy security.