Development of historical riverside protection area in Narva/Estonia and Ivangorod/Russia III stage

The main idea of the project is further development of Narva and Ivangorod historical riverside areas located on the Estonian-Russian border in close proximity to border cities historical places, incl. unique fortresses ensemble. At present the CB riverside areas are not attractive for entrepreneurs and tourists due to underdeveloped infrastructure. At the same time entrepreneurs express interest to develop business here, because they see the area big potential for development. Riverside promenades construction converts area into safe and comfortable place for tourists, visitors and business development. Project overall objective: Integrated construction and improvement of the historical promenade areas in Narva/Estonia and Ivangorod/Russia and conversion of the CBC area into attractive place for tourism and business development. Strategic needs for construction of riverside promenades is indicated in the cities’ common plans. Due to large-scale volume of works and their cost project partners construct promenades by stages. First parts of promenades were constructed in previous projects. The present project is a follow-up of River Promenades I and II projects. During its implementation reconstruction of promenades will be continued: in Narva - the promenade part in Joaorg recreation area, in Ivangorod – from northern part of promenade to bridge “Friendship”. To achieve the project objective and results the cross-border cooperation approach will be used. It will favour to getting best possible results, giving the biggest synergetic effect and contributing to better achievement of objectives set in the present project. Main project activities: Management and coordination, Information and Visibility, Reconstruction works for continuation of Historical Promenades: in Narva ca 960 m of promenades, landscaping ca 23500 sq.m, LED lighting, incl. bridges and viewpoints; in Ivangorod ca 500 m of promenades incl. piles and retaining walls; LED lighting, ca 2 ha landscaping; promotion of tourist product "Historical Promenades" and attraction of entrepreneurs for business development in Narva-Ivangorod riversides area. The main project results of the project after completion of the reconstruction works on Estonian-Russian border: historical riverside area improved, constructed promenades aresafe and comfortable for tourists, local population and business, attractive places for tourism and business development. Project beneficiaries are: TOURISTS - ca 200 000 domestic and foreign tourists per year. They get more possibilities to visit historical places in both cities, spend time by the riverside, enjoy picturesque view of historical fortifications (Narva and Ivangorod fortresses ensemble), and participate in activities on the promenades. LOCAL POPULATION: 59 480 inhabitants in Narva, ca 10 539 in Ivangorod, ca 79 168 in Kingisepp region. Constructed promenades create more various possibilities for people to spend leisure time, contribute to higher living quality level. ENTREPRENEURS: Constructed promenades create more possibilities for business development esp. in the field of tourist services incl. hotels and restaurants, entertainment and fishing (at least 65 companies). PEOPLE who cross the Estonian-Russian border. Constructed promenades contribute to a more comfortable border crossing (ca 7000 persons a day). Project partners NARVA and IVANGOROD get tourist product “Historical Promenades”, landscaped riversides and detailed plan incl. documentation for attracting entrepreneurs to develop business in riverside area. LOCAL AND REGIONAL AUTHORITIES. They get reorganised historical riverside promenades. Indirectly city income increases. Cities and regions image improves. STATES. Landscaped state border areas. Image of cross-border region improves. As a new solution of the integrated approach to cross-border riverside development that contributes to better sustainable development of historical areas united by common history and natural resource of the Narva River is attraction of business to reconstructed riverside areas, development of Action plans and promotion of tourist product “Historical Promenades”. These project complex solutions will give to SMEs in tourism and related businesses added value to cross-border area development as a united tourist destination and place for successful entrepreneurship development. These new solutions will have multipliable effect for SMEs to develop and expand their business to attract tourists and added value to Narva -Ivangorod region, increasing local income, creating new jobs, improving their image. The main cross-border impact of the project is created conditions for socio-economic development of cross-border region.

Project results: 1. Business and visiting environment (infrastructure) in CBC region improved due to reconstructed Narva and Ivangorod riversides areas. Attractiveness of cultural and heritages sites to visitors increased. 2. Insured sustainability of SMEs and business development in Narva and Ivamgorod riversides areas due to developed Action plan and measures for its support incl promotion of tourist product “Historical Promenades”. 3. Strengthened capacity of CBC region and expanded cross-border cooperation.