The proposals were developed with the Russian Regional Environmental Centre and the Administration of the city of Sochi.

A total of 600 residents in the villages of Esto-Sadok, Galitsyno and Chereshnya were interviewed as part of the process of putting together the proposals, which are part of the United Nations' Agenda for the 21st century initiative.

The three villages are five kilometres from the Krasnaya Polyana mountain range where an alpine ski resort has been built at Rosa Khutor for Sochi 2014, and where biathlon, bobsleigh, snowboard and freestyle events will all take place during the Olympics.

Sochi is hoping that the proposals can help them enjoy a boost akin to that Barcelona had after the 1992 Summer Games, when tourism boomed.

The proposals will look to turn Esto-Sadok into a hub of sports tourism with Galitsyno becoming a recreation and tourism hot spot, taking advantage of the area's historical heritage.

Chereshnya is earmarked for agricultural development, with the construction of a plant to process fruit and vegetables planned, as well as plans for setting up greenhouses.

The Black Sea resort is virtually being doubled in size through the construction of new infrastructure and transport networks, emphasising the importance of making this transition in a sustainable way.

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