Our city was praised for the holistic development of recreational space with extra-budgetary investments.

The winning project submitted by Volgograd was a large-scale renovation of the Central Park of Culture and Recreation. The 21-hectare park, dating back to the 1960s, had fallen into disrepair by the late 1990s. A turning point in its history was the conclusion of a concession agreement in 2017 between the Volgograd administration and a private investor (OOO Park). This public-private partnership (PPP) model made it possible to significantly transform the area without directly impacting the city budget.

Importantly, admission to the park remains free for everyone!

Project results were the following:

• A year-round amusement and recreation park with themed zones, including a zone dedicated to Volgograd's sister-cities, has been created.

• Total private investment in development has exceeded 1.4 billion rubles.

• Attendance has increased from 1.1 million in 2022 to 2.2 million in 2025.

• The park has become the main venue for city events, hosting over 380 such annually: patriotic, cultural (Chinese, Indian, and Korean cultural festivals), sports, environmental, and family celebrations.

• Unique facilities have been created: Russia's largest children's pool, "Laguna" (an ice rink in winter), an all-season "Autodrome," and extreme rides.

• An active social policy is being implemented: free certificates for schools and universities, special events for large and low-income families, and families of SMO participants.

The competition was held by the International Assembly of Capitals and Major Cities (IAC) with the support of governments from the CIS and Russia. Its goal was not so much a competition as an exchange of best practices in urban governance. All submitted projects were added to the Library of Urban Practices, promoting the development of inter-municipal and international cooperation.

Congratulations to everyone involved on this international recognition!

This is a vivid example of how partnerships between government and business create new points of attraction and improve the quality of life in the city.