A state-of-the-art airport with a rail connection to the city centre A state-of-the-art airport that can handle transatlantic flights will allow St Petersburg to take its place among fully-fledged European transportation hubs. As in other European cities, a railway connection to the city centre must become a necessary part of St. Petersburg's infrastructure.

A ban on drinking alcohol and smoking in public St Petersburg must become the first city in Russia to follow in the footsteps of other European cities and strictly limit public sale and consumption of nicotine and alcohol, two dangerous drugs that cause millions of deaths every year.

A tunnel under the Neva to augment drawbridges The construction of one or more car tunnels in St Petersburg will allow residents and visitors to the city to travel between the city's districts while the drawbridges are up, as well as help relieve traffic jams that frequently clog the approaches to bridges.

Visa-free entry into the city for residents of developed countries How's this for a paradox? Residents of Tajikistan can enter St Petersburg without a visa, while visitors from the USA and Western Europe have to go through an inconvenient process lasting several weeks before they can be permitted entry. By changing the situation, the city will see a dramatic increase in profits from tourism.

Pedestrianization of the historical centre A city's appeal as a tourist destination is directly proportional to the size of pedestrian zones in its historical centre. St Petersburg's unique architectural ensemble, known as the Golden Triangle, must become an area where the city's residents and visitors alike can happily stroll around.

A ban on old, polluting cars St Petersburg's air quality is worse than that in the centre of London or New York, as it is polluted by VAZ vehicles and other cars banned in Europe. St Petersburg must implement European standards that limit car emissions and the emissions of factories within city limits.

Clearing the streets of haphazard parking Haphazard parking creates traffic congestion, turning four-lane city streets into single-lane ones; interferes with street cleaning; and undermines investments in the paid parking infrastructure. St Petersburg must follow the example of every Western city and regulate parking.

21st-century public transport stops, street signs, and traffic lights Public transport stops must have interactive route maps and schedules. Meanwhile, all traffic and street signs must be re-evaluated aesthetically and technologically. All aspects of city navigation in St Petersburg must be in both Russian and English.

Favourable conditions for the reconstruction of historical sites Investors who want to build new hotels and retail centres in the centre of St Petersburg must follow clear and transparent rules when renovating historical sites. This will allow them to modernize 18th—19th century buildings without compromising the city's image.

A revamped city police department To earn the admiration of St Petersburg residents, police officers must speak English, be athletic, and have no bad habits. The dismissal of all active police officers and the recruitment of a new police force with the help of British auditors would represent a positive step in this direction.