Kotka is a mid-sized town near the finish-russian border with a population of 54,500.
Since about 1800, the city of Kotka got fortified. The Kyminlinna fortress is part of the former fortified borderline between the empires of Russia and Sweden.
The construction of the pentagonal fortification began in 1803. It’s beautifully situated between the two arms of the river Kymi.
The granite walls and green lawns harmoniously suit in the pine tree dominated nature.
The motorway from Helsinki to St Petersburg runs today alongside the outer walls of the fortress and Kotka city center lies only 5 km from the area.
The military is withdrawing from the area in its entirety in the spring 2005. In 2003 there are still 36 posts there.
The jobs are relocated mainly to the neighbouring municipality, so the local socio-economical effects are limited.
Kyminlinna is a national monument. The restoration of the walls will go on in several years still.
The further use of the area and the barracks must be adapted to the requirements of the historical values and physical restictions of the monument.
The newest proposal to be talked over is a finnish-russian art center with educational and research premises and workshops.
The alternative forms of utilization and managing the area are subject for discussion and scrutiny in several organizations.
The cordination of various examinations and planning actions on local and state level is the main objective of the year 2004.
The actors are Senate Properties (the owner of the real estate), the Ministry of Defence, the National Board of Antiquities, City of Kotka and the Regional Council of Kymenlaakso.
The focus of interest in participating in CONVERNET is to get information of the best results and methods of conversion projects in the Baltic Sea Region.
The financial contribution is limited to € 10,000 in 2003-2005. A great interest is concentrated already to a new project period with more concrete measures and substantial budget.
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