An ambitious project by Russian entrepreneurs aims to create an expansive park in Havana, modeled after the renowned Zaryadye Park in Moscow. The plan is to develop a smaller version of the vast Moscow park, which spans over 50,000 square meters and connects the tourist heart of Moscow with the business district of Kitay-Gorod.
"We are currently collaborating with our colleagues to have our investors build something akin to Zaryadye Park in Havana, just like in Moscow," stated Nikita Stasishin, the Russian Deputy Minister of Construction, to the TASS news agency. According to Stasishin, they proposed to the Cuban side the idea of "constructing something that would become a gem of Havana."
Investment and Development Plans
Potential investors might include Moscow-based companies that directly participated in the construction of Zaryadye Park, Stasishin noted in an interview during the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum, held from June 5 to June 8. The intention is to build a smaller park with local flair, although the exact location in Havana has not been disclosed. The project is expected to be completed within three years, pending the determination of funding sources and mechanisms, Stasishin added.
The Cuban delegation at the St. Petersburg Economic Forum was led by Deputy Prime Minister Ricardo Cabrisas Ruiz. Other attendees included the Minister of Transportation Eduardo Rodríguez Dávila, Ambassador Julio Garmendía Peña, First Deputy Minister of Foreign Trade and Investment Carlos Luis Jorge Méndez, Director of Europe at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Ileana Núñez Mordoche, and Director of Commercial Policy with Europe at the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Investment Inalvis Bonachea González.
According to a note from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Cuban delegation held meetings with official and business counterparts related to the main topics of the bilateral agenda and agreements aimed at ensuring the effective participation of the Russian Federation in Cuba's National Economic and Social Development Plan until 2030.
The urban Zaryadye Park is located along the banks of the Moskva River, near the Red Square. It features four types of Russian biomes organized in terraces from northeast to southwest: tundra, steppe, forest, and wetland. The park's pathways extend over a raised walkway that spans the road and overlooks the river, offering a new vantage point from which to rediscover the city.
FAQs about Russia's Park Project in Havana
Below are some frequently asked questions regarding the ambitious plan to create a Zaryadye-like park in Havana, addressing key details and potential impacts.
What is the proposed size of the new park in Havana?
The new park in Havana is expected to be a smaller version of Moscow's Zaryadye Park, which spans over 50,000 square meters.
Who are the potential investors for the park project?
Potential investors may include Moscow-based companies that were directly involved in the construction of the original Zaryadye Park.
When is the park expected to be completed?
The project is projected to be finished within three years, pending the determination of funding sources and mechanisms.