Lviv Proposes to Create Economic Zone Near Airport

The Lviv city authorities have announced plans to acquire land in Sokilnyky, which is situated near Lviv Airport, in order to create an economic zone. According to the press service of the Lviv City Council, this initiative has the potential to create up to 10,000 new jobs in the region.

The current landowners are planning to construct a residential complex that could accommodate tens of thousands of residents in the Sokilnyky area. However, the city authorities believe it would be far more beneficial to establish an economic zone that would promote business development and economic opportunities in the region. The authorities are prepared to offer the landowners an alternative plot of land to realize their plans.

This initiative is based on a development concept for the area around Lviv Airport, which was developed by British engineering, consulting, and architectural firms Jacobs, Gleeds, and BDP. According to assessments from international experts, this area has significant potential for economic development, while residential construction could hinder future airport expansion.

The chief architect of Lviv, Anton Kolomeitsev, commented, "If housing is built there, then this unique area will be permanently lost for functions that would operate in synergy with the airport and the Eurocorridor being laid to Lviv, and tens of thousands of people will live in conditions of noise discomfort and negative health impacts."

Kolomeitsev believes that the area could host manufacturing, logistics, commercial, and retail establishments that would benefit from the new transportation infrastructure, providing a "short supply chain." The city estimates that the implementation of this concept could create up to 10,000 new jobs.

The final development concept will be refined and presented to government authorities and the investor who owns the land. Additionally, there are plans to showcase this concept at an international forum in London scheduled for June this year. This forum is proposed to be held with the support of the UK Department for Business and Trade, as well as the participation of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, representatives of British businesses, and investment funds.

It is worth noting that the British ministry is the donor of this project and has funded the work of international experts, highlighting the high level of international cooperation in the implementation of this initiative.