Ecopolis on Sakhalin

Unique in its beauty and richness, its natural features and topography, and its advantageous geopolitical location make Sakhalin, and the Ecopolis in particular, a major point on the map of Russia and the world. The Masterplan takes into account the importance of preserving the scale of the place and its unique features, while weaving the territory into the global agenda and incorporating it into global processes.

The main value of the contest project is the fragile ecosystem of Sakhalin Island, where the precarious balance of geological, hydrological, and meteorological processes causes both admiration and awe. Unique in its beauty and richness, its natural features and topography, and its advantageous geopolitical location make Sakhalin in general, and Ecopolis in particular, a major point on the map of Russia and the world. The masterplan takes into account the importance of preserving the scale of the place and its unique features, while weaving the territory into the global agenda and including it in global processes. Creating the project under such conditions was an opportunity for us to rethink our approach to urban design: the ideas of digitalization, decarbonization and preservation of natural ecosystems became the main vectors of the territory’s development. Ecopolis does not just meet the needs of modern society it is focused on the future and can offer unique living conditions, as well as become a driver of economic growth for the entire region.

The project offers a unique concept of sustainable living that involves experimentation and “putting it into practice. These experiments concern the organization of space, work and leisure, and everyday lifestyles. Sustainability is manifested here on all levels: residents are encouraged to adopt conscious resource use schemes (such as energy co-production and respect for nature), businesses focus on the implementation of innovative technologies, and the landscape becomes part of urban life. A productive urban environment and landscape will help build a new economy based on clean energy and technological innovation. The new city is a big data and information exchange structure, a site for discovery, and a testing ground where every resident is a full participant.

The urban structure aims to create a new type of relationship between buildings, nature, and man, in which each element qualitatively reinforces the other. The new city is dissolved in the surrounding landscape, and its neighborhoods are blended for better interaction and a constant circulation of urban communities. The presence of a deep-water port, its proximity to an international airport, and its planned connection to the mainland create an unprecedented opportunity to become a new epicenter of the international economy. The global triangulation allows Ecopolis to create a new level of mobility to match today’s dynamic pace of life.