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Kiev is an important industrial, scientific, educational and cultural center of Eastern Europe. It is home to many high-tech industries, higher education institutions, world-famous historical landmarks. The city has an extensive infrastructure and highly developed system of public transport, including the Kiev Metro.
The name of Kiev comes from the name of Kyi, one of four legendary founders of the city (brothers Kyi, Shchek, Khoryv and sister Lybid'). During its history, Kiev, one of the oldest cities in Eastern Europe, passed through several stages of great prominence and relative obscurity. The city is believed to have been founded in the 5th century as a trading post in the land of Early East Slavs. It gradually acquired eminence as the center of the East Slavic civilization, becoming in the tenth to twelfth centuries a political and cultural capital of Rus', a medieval East Slavic state. Completely destroyed during the Mongol invasion in 1240, the city lost most of its influence for the centuries to come. It was a provincial capital of marginal importance in the outskirts of the territories controlled by its powerful neighbors: first the Grand Duchy of Lithuania, followed by the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth and, finally, Russia. The city prospered again during the Russian industrial revolution in the late 19th century. After the turbulent period following the Russian Revolution of 1917, from 1921 onwards Kiev was an important city of the Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic, and, since 1934, its capital. During World War II, the city again suffered significant damage, but quickly recovered in the post-war years becoming the third most important city of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics.
Football (soccer) is the most popular spectator sport in Kiev, followed by basketball and ice hockey. Kiev has many professional and amateur soccer clubs, including the Arsenal and, especially Dynamo, which both play in the top division of the Ukrainian Premier League. Other less prominent sport clubs in the city include: the FC Obolon Kyiv soccer club, the HC Sokil Kyiv hockey club and BK Kyiv basketball club.
During the 1980 Summer Olympics held in the Soviet Union, Kiev held the preliminary matches and the quarter-finals of the football tournament at its Olympic Stadium, reconstructed for the event. The stadium is the largest of Ukrainian stadiums, as well as among Kiev's 15 stadiums/sport complexes. Initially constructed for audience of 100,000, following the installation of individual seats it can now accommodate 83,053 spectators. Other notable sport stadiums/sport complexes in Kiev include the Lobanovsky Dynamo Stadium, the Palace of Sports, among many others.
Source: http://en.wikipedia.org
Population
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Population in 2005:
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2,611,237
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Estimated population in 2012:
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2,624,300
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Average population growth between 1995 and 2000:
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+0,3%
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Source: Poland-Ukraine bid to host UEFA EURO 2012 (Phase I).
Stadium
Olympic Stadium
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Planned matches:Â
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group matches, quarter-final and semi-final
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Total number of seats:
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83,300
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number of spectators:Â
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77,000
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Status:
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to be refurbished
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Date of putting into use:
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2010
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Source: Poland-Ukraine bid to host UEFA EURO 2012 (Phase I)
Accommodation
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Existing hotels
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Number of hotels
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Number of rooms
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*****
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****
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***
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**
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*
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*****
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****
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***
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**
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*
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10 km from the stadium
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1
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5
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11
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8
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1
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289
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906
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2116
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436
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17
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11 - 75 km from the stadium
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6
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12
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4
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1455
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537
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122
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Planned hotels
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Number of hotels
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Number of rooms
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|
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*****
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****
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***
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**
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*
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*****
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****
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***
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**
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*
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10 km from the stadium
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4
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8
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10
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5
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900
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1000
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1500
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400
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11 - 75 km from the stadium
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2
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8
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10
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350
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1500
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700
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During Finals of EURO 2012, apart from the existing hotels, accommodation will be provided by such facilities as:
- Youth hostels - estimated about 25,000 rooms,
- Camping field on Trukhanov island in the middle of Dniepr river, 1 km form the city center - sleeping capacity: 5000,
- Suburban facilities - estimated sleeping capacity: 5000,
- Floating hotels on boats on Dniepr river in the very city center, offering single, double and triple rooms. Provided with all amenities, restaurants, bars, scenic terraces etc. - estimated 900 rooms.
- Private lodgings for hire - estimated 5000 rooms,
- Camping field in “Chayka” sport compound - sleeping capacity: up to 5000.
Source: Poland-Ukraine bid to host UEFA EURO 2012 (Phase I).
Infrastructure
Plans for the modernization of the infrastructure
Projects for improvement and refurbishment of transport infrastructure in Kiev planned to be completed by 2012, whether the city wins the bid to host UEFA EURO 2012 or not, include:
- expansion of the new subway line Kharkovskaja - Borispol airport and North-Western line (estimated cost: EUR 85 million, CHF 127.5 million). The line will significantly shorten the journey time form the airport to the city center;
- 2 new bridges over Dnipro, which will ease traffic on the existing bridges (estimated costs: EUR 300 million);
- improvement of the condition of public roads (s estimated costs: EUR 300 million, CHF 450 million);
A new terminal in Borispol Airport (estimated cost EUR 185 million, CHF 277.5 million), which will increase airport’s throughput capacity almost twofold.
Additional transport capacities
Stadiums are located in the city center, which will allow most tourists to walk to them along the main boulevard, visiting on the way the fan zones. About 500 buses will be in service on lines to the stadium during matches in Kiev. Subway will run more frequently on match days but passengers’ access will be restricted to prevent jams. Additional 70 buses will bring passengers from and to the airport.
Traffic arrangements
An increase in the number of cars is one of major traffic problems in Kiev. This problem concerns other cities also. Such situation causes other traffic problems, including:
- shortage of parking spaces in the city center;
- inadequate methods for forceful removal of cars for violation of traffic law;
- deterioration in the condition of roads.
All above problems are being solved. Money is invested in the improvement of the condition of technical facilities and base. Organization of transport firms, municipal transport and logistic coordination are also modified. Authorities of Kiev do not expect any particular problems connected with hosting UEFA EURO 2012. Moreover, additional traffic wardens will be hired. Its responsibility will be to solve traffic problems and prevent jams and unlawful parking.
Source: Poland-Ukraine bid to host UEFA EURO 2012 (Phase I)
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