«Melting» cities.

Murmansk is the largest city in the polar circle. 310 thousand people lived there in 1971. In 20 years the population has grown to almost half a million. This was due to the growth of the fishing and naval industries and huge progress in all areas of city life. People moved to the North from all over Soviet Union.

Nowadays demographic decline is observed in Murmansk. Since 1998 the population has decreased by almost 100 thousand people. The most of people leaving the town is the youth. It depends on the fact that central and secondary regions are experiencing different growth rates of living standards.

This problem is relevant for the huge amount of cities throughout Russia. If the trend continues, many cities may disappear from the map. Murmansk is one of the many «melting» cities in Russia. 

Faina and Petr moved to Murmansk in the late 50’s. They have been married since 1964. Petr is originally from Chebarkyl and Faina is from Vologda. He worked as a navy radio operator, she worked at a furniture factory.
Faina and Petr moved to Murmansk in the late 50’s. They have been married since 1964. Petr is originally from Chebarkyl and Faina is from Vologda. He worked as a navy radio operator, she worked at a furniture factory.
Faina and Petr say: «Murmansk was built before our eyes... The house we live in was one of the first. Before that there were only two buildings in that area and nothing else. We’ve got the flat from a factory».
Faina and Petr say: «Murmansk was built before our eyes... The house we live in was one of the first. Before that there were only two buildings in that area and nothing else. We’ve got the flat from a factory».
Street in Murmansk.
Street in Murmansk.
Murmansk’s household waste incineration plant.
Murmansk’s household waste incineration plant.
Andrey and Ira were born in 1995 in Murmansk. Andrey is a record producer and Ira is a television journalist. They left city in 2020.
Andrey and Ira were born in 1995 in Murmansk. Andrey is a record producer and Ira is a television journalist. They left city in 2020.
Noon. Murmansk. February 2019.
Noon. Murmansk. February 2019.
Thermal power plant.
Thermal power plant.
The furniture store “Druzhba” has been working since the time of the Soviet Union.
The furniture store “Druzhba” has been working since the time of the Soviet Union.
Warehouse in the snow.
Warehouse in the snow.
View from the window of a house in the uptown.
View from the window of a house in the uptown.
Industrial zone.
Industrial zone.
Grey color has the advantage.
Grey color has the advantage.
Bogdan was born in 1996. In 2019 he studied as a skipper. He doesn’t see his future in Murmansk: “The city is dull and small. It’s the place to elder only... All my classmates have left and they don’t want to return. There’s nothing to do here». Also, Bogdan told us that Russian sailors land fish in Norway and other nearby countries. After that Russian suppliers buy it for higher prices. That happens due to unprepared and expensive conditions of berthing in the port of Murmansk.
Bogdan was born in 1996. In 2019 he studied as a skipper. He doesn’t see his future in Murmansk: “The city is dull and small. It’s the place to elder only... All my classmates have left and they don’t want to return. There’s nothing to do here». Also, Bogdan told us that Russian sailors land fish in Norway and other nearby countries. After that Russian suppliers buy it for higher prices. That happens due to unprepared and expensive conditions of berthing in the port of Murmansk.
Some people are still leave in wooden huts here.
Some people are still leave in wooden huts here.
Kola bay remains ice-free throughout the year, thanks to warm Gulf Stream waters. Locals want the government to build a promenade, but the question remains open.
Kola bay remains ice-free throughout the year, thanks to warm Gulf Stream waters. Locals want the government to build a promenade, but the question remains open.
Nastya is 23 y.o., she works as an environmental engineer. in the Murmansk Commercial Seaport. Her boyfriend is a sailor. He offers her to move from Murmansk to Saint Petersburg. Nastya told us about the situation in the village of Belokamenka, on the western shore of Kola Bay. It’s the place where a shipyard for the construction of floating plants for liquefying natural gas are being build. There are almost none workers from Murmansk. Instead there are people from other cities who work on a rotational basis. That happens due to the reluctance of the organization to pay local Northern premiums.
Nastya is 23 y.o., she works as an environmental engineer. in the Murmansk Commercial Seaport. Her boyfriend is a sailor. He offers her to move from Murmansk to Saint Petersburg. Nastya told us about the situation in the village of Belokamenka, on the western shore of Kola Bay. It’s the place where a shipyard for the construction of floating plants for liquefying natural gas are being build. There are almost none workers from Murmansk. Instead there are people from other cities who work on a rotational basis. That happens due to the reluctance of the organization to pay local Northern premiums.
Railway.
Railway.
District.
District.
The Stroitel stadium. This is there people go ice skating.
The Stroitel stadium. This is there people go ice skating.