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Climate change consequences to be reflected in master plans for Arctic backbone cities

The renovation will use modern technologies that respond to new challenges, including climate change and other consequences of melting permafrost, Gadzhimagomed Guseynov noted

MOSCOW, April 12. /TASS/. Issues related to climate change and permafrost melting will be reflected in master plans that are being developed for Arctic backbone cities, Russia's Deputy Minister for Development of the Far East and Arctic Gadzhimagomed Guseynov said.

In compliance with instructions from President Vladimir Putin, the Ministry for Development of the Far East and Arctic, together with the regions, has been working on the upgrade of the Arctic backbone cities and settlements. In 2023, the government approved a list of 16 backbone cities and settlements in the Arctic, where more than 1.5 million people live.

"We have been working on master planning documents, <...> issues of local development of transport, engineering, social infrastructures and ecology, including climate change. <...> We will eye separately the issues related to the permafrost degradation. All issues related to the permafrost should be reflected in the master plans," he said at a meeting at the State Duma.

The renovation will use modern technologies that respond to new challenges, including climate change and other consequences of melting permafrost, he added.

"In some Arctic settlements, the share of various deformed buildings has increased to 50% of their total number," he stressed.

According to the instructions from the president, it is important to start practical work in the Arctic cities as early as in 2025. The master plans will represent the development of the approved 16 agglomerations until 2035. The work on master plans is due to be completed by July 1.

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