In the 19th century, countries like the UK and USA used to organise sports competitions between universities. The first international competition was held in Paris, in May 1923. In 1959, the International Students Union and the International University Sports Federation (FISU) organised for the first time the International University Games in Turin, which were later called “Universiade”. These Games are held every two years. The 27th edition, which has as slogan “You are the world”, will be held in the summer of 2013, in Kazan (capital of Tatarstan district), Russia.
The competitions of 26 sports will reunite 12.000 athletes and delegations from 170 countries. The number of visitors has been estimated at 100.000.
The Universiade-2013 sports objects will be concentrated in 4 areas, which will be modernised, especially in terms of transport, seeing as the large number of participants will bring an increase in mobility needs. These zones are planned to be connected by renewed highways with two-level flyovers, including a completed Big Kazan Ring.
“RZD plans to build a rail link to the International Airport in Kazan, a project which requires a budget of RUB 4-6 Billion (EUR 100-160 Million)”, said Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin in May 2010.
The railway network in Kazan will also be modernised. A high-speed railway line for passenger transport will be built. This line will be connected to the Nizhny Novgorod rail link. According to RZD, the Nizhny Novgorod-Moscow rail link will become operational at the end of July 2010. This way, the Kazan-Nizhny Novgorod line will be connected to Moscow and St Petersburg, seeing as the high-speed line will lead to these two large Russian cities.
Similar to Sochi, the city that will host the 2014 Olympic Winter Games, Kazan will benefit from the construction of a modern transport system to optimize logistics. This system will be developed based on the development requirements and needs, thus improving the citizens’ living conditions and the city’s activities and facilitating the access to the urban areas. “The modernisation project for the road transport network has already been elaborated. In 2009, the government allocated RUB 10 Billion (around EUR 260 Million) from the federal budget. Part of these funds was invested in constructions. The Ministry of Transport has been dealing with the elaboration of a plan for the transport services that should be ensured throughout the event”, added Putin.
The underground, the most important means of transport
The Russian Government also plans to build new bridges over the river Kazanka, as well as passageway linking the areas where the games will be held with the underground system. During a meeting of the Russian Cabinet of Ministers held in February 2010, it was concluded that “the development of the underground system in Kazan is vital. The project consists in the construction of four new underground lines, with a total length of 62 km and 28 stations”, shows a press release. According to estimates, the underground transport capacity may increase to 500.000 passengers. At present, the underground systems in Kazan has a single line which links the centre of the city with the south-east area. The line is 7 km long, has 6 stations and it became operational in 2005. The underground network in Kazan is the newest and most modern underground system in Russia.
The first extension of this line which leads to Prospekt Pobedy was opened in December 2008. In 2010, the underground network may be extended to the river Kazanka. The line will be connected to the Railway Transit Terminal, allowing the underground system to become one of the main modes of transport. If the city continues to grow, as it has until now, the underground network may be extended with over 5 lines, including a ring, which will take after the existing railway ring, “electrichka”. The extension of the first underground line is very important, because it will provide an efficient public transport service for the tourists that will come to attend Universiade 2013.
This project will require investments of RUB 39.3 Billion (over EUR 1 Billion), of which RUB 2 Billion (EUR 52.2 Million) will be used for the acquisition of 10 underground trains. According to the press in Tatarstan, RUB 2 Billion will be allocated every year from the local budget for underground extension. In the near future, Tatarstan may benefit from federal funds for the Kazan underground network. In order to improve public transport, the authorities plan to implement projects for trolleys, trams and other means of transport which ensure mobility. “The government and the regional and urban authorities are working together on various projects which include the development of the transport infrastructure and services”. To that end, projects “have to be analysed, finalized and then approved”, said Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin, during a government reunion held in May 2010, which focused on the projects that have to be developed in view of the Universiade 2013. In order to expand the entire transport system, the authorities also plan to modernise the infrastructure between the airport and the new stadium, which will have a capacity of 45.000 people, as well as the connection between the centre of the city and the outskirts. During a conference organised in order to present the transport projects, Jose Acebillo Marin, Chief Architect of Barcelona, was invited to present his opinion on the development of the transport infrastructure between the international airport in Kazan and the new stadium. “It’s important that people see the change. The outskirts can be connected to the centre of the city through a tram line. A major issue is the development of the infrastructure between the airport and the stadium”, said Jose Acebillo Marin. The preparations and the implementation of all these projects for the Universiade 2013 are considered by the Russian authorities as “national constructions projects”. The massive investments to be allocated, as well as the efficiency and facilitation of financing contribute without a doubt to the economic growth of the city of Kazan and of the entire region. By implementing these transport projects, we can safely say that this sector is a viable partner for financial and economic growth and for mobility development.
Ilsur Metshin, mayor of Kazan:
“One of the major challenges that we need to solve is the development of the transport infrastructure. 15 two-level flyovers will be built in order to ensure transport, as well as 130 km of road. The airport and the railway station will be connected by a tram line and the underground network will link the main areas in which the event will be held”.
Dmitri Medvedev, Russian President:
“Universiade is a social project. Many objectives will be built in order to ensure the good development of the sports activities. Underground development is important, that is why nothing can be done without the underground. The urban areas need this transport system!”
by Pamela Luică
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