Study of demand and functional content of the sports cluster at the Expocente of Ukraine

Context

‍As part of the development of the sports cluster concept at the Expocenter of Ukraine, our team, in partnership with the independent think tank U.Sport, conducted two studies:

1. Qualitative research with leaders of sports and street cultures in Kyiv: 25 in-depth interviews with community representatives;
2. Quantitative research: a survey among the Expocenter of Ukraine visitors (2300 respondents).

Who took part in the study

Qualitative research: in-depth interviews with 25 respondents:
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• 12 representatives of various street culture trends proposed to be presented in the urban park at the Expocenter of Ukraine;
• 5 representatives of water sports, including professional athletes, owners of swimming clubs and schools
• 3 representatives of the running community, including event organisers, leaders of running clubs;
• 2 representatives of the fitness industry;
• 1 interview each with an expert on transport and cycling infrastructure, a rehabilitation therapist, and the founder of an active children's sports camp.

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‍Quantitative research: 2300 people.

Quantitative research

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This survey allowed us to identify the main trends and wishes of visitors.

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Out of 2300 respondents, more than 1200 respondents (over 55%) said they already go in for sports at the Expocenter of Ukraine.

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We also received more than 2200 responses describing their preferred locations even though this question was not mandatory.

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Qualitative research

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‍We asked the respondents of the in-depth interviews 23 questions, which comprised 5 blocks. Below are comments and an analysis of each block.

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1. Location

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+ The proximity of the Expocenter of Ukraine to large, rapidly developing residential areas, as well as the presence of a nearby metro station.

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‍+ A multifunctional sports area will offset the remoteness from the city centre, and the on-site natural park will further attract visitors.

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‍+ The location may make it possible to hold street night leagues in the sports that will be included in the sports cluster.

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+ A successful combination of recreational and sports areas can expand the boundaries of the location to the national and even global level as a place for sports tourism. There are examples of such spaces worldwide and in Ukraine, but they are not widespread.

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- Organised groups and informal communities have their usual places for sports. Still, creating a unique location may become a reason for them to move to the Expocenter of Ukraine partially.

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- A problem for cycling sports, as the metro is not always accessible by bicycle, so it may be challenging to get there from remote areas.

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- The proximity to Holosiivskyi Forest Park may pose a danger due to recent attacks on people in the park.

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2. Competitive locations

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‍The main competitive locations are:

• A large Sport Life complex with a swimming pool in the Teremky district, an existing summer recreational pool at the Expocenter of Ukraine ‘Pier 39’ and the swimming pool of the Galaktyka sports club
• Rollerblading locations in the parks of the Holosiivskyi district
• Availability of commercial indoor football fields at the Expocenter of Ukraine and several stadiums nearby on the territory of universities
• Several basketball courts in the courtyards of new residential complexes next to the Expocenter of Ukraine
• 2 small private climbing halls

Among the parks, the most significant competitors are Natalka Park in Obolon, X-Park in Muromets Park, Trukhaniv Island for the running community, and Sport City in Hydropark as a football location. Different communities of urban cultures gather in the city's street locations or the Havan skatepark. All these spaces have their advantages and disadvantages.

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‍All respondents noted that on the right bank of Kyiv, and especially in the Expocenter of Ukraine area, there are currently no locations combining open-air multifunction and infrastructure, like changing rooms and public areas.

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High-quality sports venues in Kyiv are overcrowded, and the time in such halls and venues is scheduled hourly, especially during peak hours (17:00-20:00).

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3. Key common opinions

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The presence of a full-fledged sports cluster on the territory of the Expocenter of Ukraine will make the location unique among active lifestyle supporters in Kyiv and Ukraine.

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The location should meet the needs of several target groups, including adults and children, the elderly, and people with disabilities, so it is interesting to visit the sports cluster with the whole family or friends.

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Proper zoning will separate the flows of visitors by interest and ensure comfortable involvement in different sports.

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Shelter from the rain and sun, partial cover over the main elements, will increase attendance, make the location more popular and comfortable, significantly extend the active use season and reduce risks.

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It is important to combine recreation and sports in one place. The location should become the heart of sports life for those who play different sports or belong to street cultures, as well as visitors to the Expocenter of Ukraine who come for a walk. The content should consider not only the basic interest of beginners but also the needs of athletes and communities. The space should be designed by the requirements and standards for street competitions.

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The use of high-quality materials (e.g. flooring), equipment and lighting, the availability of stationary changing rooms and showers, a first aid post, storage rooms, a lounge area with a food court, equipment rental and storage options, and recreational facilities in the complex will provide the cluster with additional benefits, allow it to organise classes regularly, encourage visitors to spend more time at the location, and encourage people to travel to the Expocenter of Ukraine from different parts of Kyiv and Ukraine.

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The main problem with such locations is the lack of luggage storage. People from all over the city come to the Expocenter of Ukraine. And to play sports on the complex's territory, they need to change clothes, put their belongings away or park their bikes. Considering the peak flows of the weekend, this should be as simple and safe as possible, with a high level of trust on the part of people.

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It is important to provide instructions for visitors to the skatepark and bouldering/climbing area. It is important to have a manager who will control the schedule of sections, the work of security and medical staff, ensure regular cleaning of the territory and generate engaging content.

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Good lighting, including for running routes. The sports cluster should be open at least until 23:00, so that people, regardless of their work schedule, can exercise here.

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4. Design of the Urban Park

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The Urban Park should be high-quality and modern, in line with the street style. Such spaces have already become a trend worldwide, but there are no similar locations in Ukraine. A modern Urban Park could become a place to promote street cultures by distributing photos on social media.

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High-quality surfaces and materials, multifunctional space, modern designs, and moving away from standard shapes, green cage fields, colourful exercise equipment, etc., are very important and fundamental for all sports.

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‍The basis for a safe stay is the flow separation between activities with different speeds. It is also important to separate spaces for experienced athletes and beginners, adults and young children.

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The Olympic Games programme includes skateboarding, sport climbing, BMX and breakdancing. These sports do not have modern sports facilities in Ukraine, but we have many talented athletes. Under certain conditions, this street location can become the basis for developing these areas.

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Skatepark is the most popular request among the Urban Park locations. Its features and requirements:

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• For skateboarding and scooter sports, real street elements built into the park's design are important: granite slabs, stairs, railings of various levels, and additional wooden modules.
• A concrete skate park is categorically unsuitable for BMX sports, as most training and competitions occur on wooden structures. Foreign specialists are needed to build them. However, a perfectly flat surface is also essential for this sport.
• Roller sports require a perfectly flat surface and a roller rink, where you can also play roller hockey, figure skating on roller skates, etc.
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‍The optimal size of a multi-discipline skate park divided into zones is 2,000 m².

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‍Its target audience is mainly teenagers. Currently, over 2,000 active skaters skate regularly, over 1,000 roller skaters, and over 100 BMX riders in Kyiv. Of course, it is difficult to estimate the size of the community accurately.

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‍Joint events for these disciplines attract an audience of several thousand spectators because they combine several disciplines at once. The most popular among children and teenagers right now are stunt scooters (due to their relative cheapness and ease of mastery for beginners). It is estimated that more than 10,000 children are riding them in Kyiv.

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Most disciplines do not require a skate park, but they do require infrastructure like a flat, safe surface. Therefore, a perfectly flat surface is essential for all types of extreme street culture.

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According to the survey, the fitness area is one of the most sought-after areas after cycling infrastructure. This is confirmed by the 2018 study ‘Kyiv.Sport’.

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Such an area will serve a recreational function, be in demand among the local population (from the nearest districts) and become a good auxiliary complex for almost every sport represented in the sports cluster.

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Part of the parkour track and street workout will meet the needs of young people, but demand will depend on the quality and complexity of the functional content of such areas. For example, the parkour track should be as close as possible to street style, and the street workout complex should be qualitatively different from the horizontal bars that already exist on the territory of the Expocenter of Ukraine or are located in city parks. The desired surface is rubber.

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According to respondents, an open-air fitness area will be a subsidised venture: it will be difficult to monetise, but it will require funds for maintenance. Therefore, at the initial stage, it is worth installing high-quality elements that will not require capital investment for a long time.

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Technical characteristics: include areas for CrossFit, TRX, exercise equipment, street workout, and parkour tracks. It is also necessary to add special elements for corrective exercises for people with disabilities.

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The target audience for fitness in Kyiv is potentially 23.3% of those who play sports in the city. However, the location will mainly interest residents: not everyone is ready to do fitness outdoors. This is more of a local story, but a high-quality parkour track can attract young people.

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Climbing and bouldering are popular activities that are rapidly developing. Large commercial climbing walls are appearing in Kyiv, and more than 20 secondary schools in the city already offer rock climbing classes as part of their physical education curriculum. In a survey of visitors to the Expocenter of Ukraine, rock climbing was the most popular activity among those not offered as options.

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Bouldering is the easiest option for beginners and is currently the most popular, as it requires no special equipment.

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‍For the location to remain relevant for a long time and attract visitors from all over the city, it is necessary to provide an interactive component where visitors can program their routes using an app. If this is not possible, instructors should be assigned to the outdoor location to change the routes every week, which will increase audience interest.

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When designing a high wall, it is important to provide auto insurance in the climbing gym area immediately: this will significantly speed up the use of the location by visitors. The base under the walls should be as soft as possible (ideally, waterproof mats). Providing a cover over the space is necessary, as a wet surface is dangerously slippery.

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Technical characteristics: the height of the route for children is 2 m, for beginners — 3 m, and for experienced adults — 4 m. An interactive component is mandatory.

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Target audience: 1,500 athletes who regularly engage in bouldering, with the same number periodically visiting private climbing walls in the city. The audience is growing steadily.

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The area for team sports because there are currently very few high-quality outdoor football and basketball courts in Kyiv. And those that do exist are overcrowded during peak hours.

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The same situation could happen with the sports cluster. Therefore, it is very important to find a balance between the general accessibility of the location and the possibility for organised groups to come and play.

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Regarding sports, respondents also emphasised the need to meet minimum standards in the design. This approach will allow the location to be used for leisure, informal communication, and street competitions.

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In particular, for streetball, to hold 3x3 tournaments, you need at least two full halves of a standard court with rubber or plastic flooring and at least four stands with shock-absorbing rings.

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It's also important to have protection from rain and sun, at least in the stands, or to have large trees at the location. Recommendations were made not to use standard green plastic turf and goals for the courts, but to replace them with rubber slabs.

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In both areas, an essential component will be the planning and design of the location, maximising its resemblance to street style, creating themed photo zones as elements of space division, metal nets, etc.

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For football freestyle, creating a mini-amphitheatre with a rubber surface will also be necessary, as street dancing. Such an amphitheatre can be used for master classes, including paid ones.

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‍The game of panna (street football) is not yet sufficiently developed in Ukraine, and it is difficult to predict the demand for the location.

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Respondents believe such a play area will differ from the existing football infrastructure at the Expocenter of Ukraine and Kyiv basketball courts. Therefore, the space may be in high demand. Basic services are desirable: changing rooms, luggage storage, lighting until midnight, and a food court.

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Technical characteristics:

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• 1 field 40x20 m with artificial turf for 5x5 mini football
• 2 fields for 3x3 street football with rubber coating
• 2 cages for panna football (can also be used by small children)

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For basketball, the following is offered:

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• 1 standard court 15x30 m
• at least two courts measuring 15x11 m for streetball with cushioning rings
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The standard basketball court with multi-markings can also be used for other sports.

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‍Target audience: one street basketball competition attracts 200-400 players, plus friends and relatives who always come along. At peak times, up to 30 people can train at the location simultaneously. Basketball and mini-football are among the most popular sports, with several amateur leagues for each sport operating in Kyiv at any given time. As for mini-courts for street and panna football, it is difficult to determine the target audience due to the lack of regular organised competitions. Freestyle battles in popular locations (e.g. shopping centres) attract up to several thousand spectators.

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Street dancing has several different styles, and breakdancing has been included in the list of sports for the Olympic Games.

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‍An outdoor location requires an amphitheatre with stands for spectators, good flooring and a canopy to protect against rain. People should sit in a semicircle, not like in school auditoriums. The dance floor should be a low circle, not a stage. It should be raised as close to the audience as possible. It is important to equip a place for a DJ location and lighting.

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When it comes to competitions and championships, a separate place for warm-ups with music is needed. Such a space could be behind the stage.

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‍One respondent noted that energy is important for breakdancing. No one will go there if there is no desire to dance at a location. Therefore, a high-quality setup (stage, DJ location, lighting, flooring, comfort, proximity to the audience), sound that ‘rocks,’ and even the space's colour scheme are important. Bright shades and lots of colours are a no-no. Minimalism and restraint are a yes. Providing space for judges, warm-ups, and the host is also important.

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‍Round-the-clock access will be an important component. But for life to constantly thrive there, conditions must be created. There are no similar locations in the Expocenter of Ukraine area. The location's fees should be minimal to cover the costs of maintaining the equipment and space.

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The respondent also noted that if the facility is of poor quality, unattractive and unreasonably expensive, it will not be in demand.

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Technical characteristics: a round dance floor with a 5-6 m diameter covered with linoleum. Lighting and a DJ location are included. High-quality, soft, well-fixed, welded seams, linoleum of one colour: grey or black.

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Target audience: children aged 4 to adults aged 35+. Many children, teenagers and professionals over 35 are involved in street dancing. Before the coronavirus pandemic, small jams attracted 250-300 people. Large-scale events with guests from abroad attracted 500-800 people.

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An outdoor sports pool is a new sports pool that would meet the needs of both amateurs and professional athletes.

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All sports leaders noted that such a facility would be seasonal. After all, competitive swimming requires a specific temperature regime, and official competitions in open water require a standard-sized pool, a dry area for warm-ups, and special equipment. Therefore, these components and compliance with high water quality and sanitary standards must be considered when building the pool. One of the conditions was creating a shallow children's pool with slides nearby, where children could stay while adults were training.

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If the pool is to be used by clubs and sections, their employees will need premises and additional equipment. At the same time, respondents note that such an outdoor pool will limit the clubs: during winter, visitors will switch to competitors' indoor pools. It will be difficult to win back such customers; for example, setting lower prices for subscriptions than in other pools will be necessary.

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‍The weather factor will be one of the main risks even in the warm season: while the weather may not play a significant role for adult visitors, it will sometimes be decisive for children's sections.

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‍However, the fact that the Expocenter of Ukraine is located in a park area is a big advantage over other sports pools. Only ‘Yunist’ and DSK are in demand among the outdoor pools. There are plans to cover ‘Yunist' and make it all-season. 

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In general, there are many outdoor pools in Kyiv and outside Kyiv. However, they are not sports pools, so it is impossible to hold regular classes there.

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‍Respondents noted that a 50-metre outdoor sports pool can host national and international competitions. However, it is important to provide stands, TV points, scoreboards and different access levels for athletes, spectators, staff, sports officials, etc.

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An important factor is that official open water competitions are not held in pools 25 metres or less. Therefore, if the purpose of the location is to provide a sports component, it is worth designing the pool considering the requirements for holding official competitions and all the necessary equipment.

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‍In a 25-metre pool, the number of lanes is an important factor. This will affect the capacity, as competitive swimming requires certain conditions and, in some cases, having several athletes in one lane simultaneously is unacceptable, even during training. Of course, if there is a large concentration of swimmers in the lanes during peak hours, it will be uncomfortable and further affect the pool's attendance. Amateur swimmers can use such a pool for training and local competitions.

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‍Combining an outdoor sports pool, running infrastructure and a gym complex can turn the sports cluster into an open-air fitness centre and satisfy several needs in one location. And open presentations and training in such a crowded place are the best way to promote any sport.

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Technical characteristics: for sports — 50 m by 25 m, dry area, changing rooms and all equipment required by FINA standards. There can be a 25 m pool with 4-8 lanes for internal needs. However, the fewer lanes there are, the more difficult it is to organise mass swimming events.

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‍Target audience: according to a study by Sport. Kyiv, 7% of physically active Kyiv residents swim. A survey of the Expocenter of Ukraine visitors confirms this data. In the ranking of priorities for sports infrastructure in the sports cluster, respondents mentioned a swimming pool, although they did not specify whether it should be indoor or outdoor. Small children will not be able to swim in the sports pool. Visitors also noted that they would specifically travel to the Expocenter of Ukraine to use the sports pool and take their children to swimming lessons if such a pool were built.

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Running infrastructure. The Expecenter of Ukraine is a promising location for the running community. There is already a tradition of training and races here, and a running club used to operate here.

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‍Most respondents would hold club meetings and run competitions here, provided the appropriate conditions are created. There is no running infrastructure in this part of the city, only a few university stadiums, but they are not freely accessible. The location is also promising for placing cross-country tracks on competition fields. A significant advantage of holding competitions is that closing the street at the Expocenter of Ukraine is unnecessary. However, on public holidays, especially during the winter holidays, it is difficult to hold events here due to the large number of visitors and the location of small architectural forms.

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Currently, the main obstacles for the location are:

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• the lack of marked running routes;
• no safety measures for runners in remote locations (no lighting or video surveillance);
• no running hub as a meeting place for the running community;
• lack of basic amenities: changing rooms, showers, lockers, first aid station;
• no running track with special coating for children (this could be a circle, for example, on the grounds of the earth stadium near the bus station, etc.).
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Respondents paid particular attention to safety. The large area of the Exocenter of Ukraine is an advantage for the construction of various running tracks, but there is a risk that in an emergency, people will not be able to find each other in time. Also, due to the crime situation in the adjacent Holosiivskyi Forest Park, there are specific concerns within the community about the safety of running here alone.

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Creating a full-fledged running hub at the Expocenter of Ukraine will encourage a large part of the community to train here. It is proposed to create an athletics track that complies with standards and has a special coating. Such a location will allow for a series of competitions and athletics training for children aged 3+. Such infrastructure is rare in Kyiv. 

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The width of the running track on the long route should be at least 1.5-2 m, and it is important to build an additional ground track (made of crushed wood chips) parallel to the main asphalt track. Such a track will allow people who cannot run on asphalt to run along the route. It is also suitable for training in Nordic walking and other activities.

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A cycle path could be built parallel to the running track on the main long route. Such routes should be marked, with established rules and, preferably, a dividing strip. There is a practice where a coach rides a bicycle alongside the route when children are training. Such a track would be too short for cycling, as distances are usually much longer. However, it would be helpful as an auxiliary track for visitors to the Expocenter of Ukraine, as well as for beginners and children's clubs. Moreover, such a track could also be used by roller skaters, people on electric scooters, etc.

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A comprehensive route with three parallel tracks for roller skating, cycling, running and Nordic walking would make the location interesting. However, each track needs to be designed by specialists. They should be as far apart from the pavement for pedestrians as possible.

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If only a high-quality running track is created, there is a risk that it will be partially used by pedestrians with baby carriages, cyclists, roller skaters, etc. It is strictly forbidden to allow the running track to intersect with a motorway: road users (cyclists, pedestrians, electric vehicles, etc.) must be properly informed at intersections.

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There are also occasional unpleasant situations with dogs running free in the park, so it is not advisable to place the running track near locations with large numbers of people with pets.

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‍Technical characteristics: a standard athletics track with a special coating of 400 m, at least four lanes. The width of the running track should be at least 1.5-2 m, and the surface can be asphalt. A parallel track with a soft surface (wood chips) should be provided.

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Target audience: according to a 2018 study by Sport. About 17% of Kyiv residents said they regularly engage in sports or some form of physical activity in Kyiv. More than 1,000 people come to Trukhaniv Island specifically for training on weekends. Most of these people need changing rooms and showers. Running competitions attract up to 5,000 participants, requiring separate routes and infrastructure.

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5. Barrier-free approach

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One respondent noted that if the pool building and surrounding space are designed per the new building regulations, the sports complex will already consider the needs of people with reduced mobility. In particular, the pool should have a lift and standard ramps, and the surrounding areas can be equipped with special tactile tiles and signs.

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To use the pool separately for rehabilitation, it is necessary to maintain a special temperature regime and install an additional bath. However, the sports pool can be used for corrective exercises for certain diseases.

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However, it should not be forgotten that the space is planned as a public space, so it is important to provide activities for older people, people with reduced mobility, people with visual impairments, etc.

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It is relevant if the Urban Park project includes special elements for corrective exercises and a sensory mini-park for functional training. All visitors can use such exercise equipment to prevent diseases of the musculoskeletal system, and at the same time, they are critically important for treatment and rehabilitation. There should be a specialist on site to organise classes, provide assistance and advice. This could also be volunteers or parents of children who need to use such equipment.

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Such a location would be beneficial to the community. The combination of water treatments and physical exercises on special exercise machines is excellent, so groups could potentially come here for classes. In Kyiv alone, there are more than 11,000 registered children with disabilities under the age of 18. However, there are currently no locations that combine several functions at once.

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In addition, it is possible for older people to set up petanque courts (at least three courts measuring 3 by 9 metres, under trees, with gravel surfaces), stationary chess tables, a track for Nordic walking, and cross-country skiing trails in winter. The development of areas for such activities often does not require large financial investments, but attracts social groups that need moderate physical activity.

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Separate opinion

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Since the results of the survey of visitors to the Expocenter of Ukraine revealed a high demand for the creation of cycling infrastructure on the territory of the Expocenter of Ukraine, we investigated this issue separately.

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The existing road marking infrastructure is ineffective mainly due to poor planning and a lack of information signs. 

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At the same time, the pavement has long been in need of renovation, as was also highlighted by representatives of the rollerblading and skateboarding communities during in-depth interviews.

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We consulted with an expert and received recommendations that will improve the current situation on the roads and have a positive impact on traffic:

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• move existing bike lanes from the central part of the alley to the far right or far left;
• add markings and information signs explaining traffic priority to the existing markings;
• among the promising routes that could be used for recreational purposes, a large circle has been proposed that would connect the central alley and the linden alley with a turn behind the fire station. The length of such a route could be 6-7 km. There is also an additional existing route towards Feofaniya, which also needs to be reviewed and updated;
• the width of the cycle path, which would meet the needs of cyclists, roller skaters and electric scooter users, could be 3 m, with a renewed surface separated from the main footpath by a 2-3 cm recess with adequate drainage.
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Conclusions and recommendations:

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• Start with the development of sports infrastructure for those sports that are already practised at the Expocenter of Ukraine, as well as those that are most promising for development.
• When developing the concept, be guided first and foremost by the goal of operating the cluster without subsidies. This means adding locations that have the potential to generate income from rent and clubs, as well as sports-related infrastructure.
• All respondents noted that the street location is limited and cannot be used in winter, greatly affecting its popularity.
• Therefore, before choosing sports and starting to develop a concept, it is worth deciding in advance which sports the Expocenter of Ukraine will be able to develop further in an indoor complex, if one is created.
• Try to combine recreational, entertainment, social and sports components in the sports cluster. The Expocenter of Ukraine is perhaps the only location in Kyiv where creating a cluster of this format is still possible. This means the Urban Park project should include a sports component (not just street culture), an athletics track for competitions, and a swimming pool that complies with FINA standards. The combination of these components will make the location unique in Kyiv.
• Actively involve leaders from each sport or discipline, especially those from Kyiv, in the development of the concept and project. The main thing is to work together to develop the locations. Then these people will help fill the cluster with life.
• When designing the location, it is important not to divide the areas according to social groups and not to create a communication gap between them. At the same time, high-speed flows should be separated and the children's area should be separated from the extreme parts.
• It is important that the sports location creates a platform where groups that do not interact with each other in everyday life can meet.
• Use high-quality and energy-efficient materials and proven contractors so that the facility does not require additional capital investment in the future.
• It is worth paying attention to the demand for sports-related infrastructure. The availability of toilets, changing rooms, lockers, lighting and security is critical. It is also important to have a roof over some of the outdoor locations, showers, infrastructure for basic clubs/sections (a sports hub with rooms for storing equipment and holding presentations, rooms for coaches, a first-aid room, a workshop, and even a public space for visitors to work).
• When designing, it is important not only to competently distribute speed and age competently flows, athletes and spectators on competition days, but also to take into account the load on the sports infrastructure during peak evening hours and weekends. It should not be forgotten that on competition days, all other locations must continue to operate as usual.

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