Repairing roads and streets is expensive, the local authorities of the Primorski district in Russia's St. Therefore, Petersburg found it cheaper to tackle infrastructure repairs with the help of Photoshop and hire a graphic designer instead of a construction company. But the population quickly realized that the authorities used a trick when repairing the footpath, which was 'invented' by Grigory Aleksandrovich Potemkin, who had the scenery of villages erected on the devastated and recently conquered territories along the banks of the Dnieper River during Catherine the Great's visit, in order to raised the importance of the newly conquered territories. The story of the digital Potemkin village spread like wildfire across Russia.
From Russia comes an unusual story about digital Potemkin villages. The local authorities took an unusual approach to the renovation of the city's infrastructure. For footpath repair they hired instead of builders graphic designer, who fixed the route in Photoshop. If the authorities thought they would be satisfied with this local population, that was really naive. In this case, it would probably be better to equip people with glasses for augmented reality.
How did the story actually unfold? Russian officials proudly posted the news online that they had repaired some dilapidated footpath, and attached photos as proof, where you can see the well-done work of the builders. The situation on the ground was the same as it was online. In reality, nothing has changed at all. When they are discrepancy between the photo and the actual situation noticed by local residents who are already March 2015 warned about the bad condition of the footpath on the web portal My St. Petersburg, and the authorities promised them renovation by October 15, 2016, they quickly responded with the real situation and thus put the city authorities in a lie.
To the citizen's complaint that came 31 October 2016, they responded with: ”Dear Alexey! According to the information sent to us by the contractor, which concerns the repair of the aforementioned footpath, we inform you that it has been completed. We are attaching photos.”
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Authorities later cited overworked officials, in charge of citizen complaints. Only two work in this field, but they have to solve up to 800 complaints. It wasn't really about stretch, but the photos were just a preview of what the road will look like after the renovation, and both officials missed that. What she should have communicated is that the works will be delayed and that they will not be completed within the stipulated time. It was really about a real mistake did the authorities cleverly excuse themselves? Judge for yourself.
