Developed countries with sparsely populated polar territories successfully combine industrial, environmental, recreational nature management and tourism on them. In Russia, implementation of government programs aimed at sustainable development of northern regions depends on the experience of the North industrial development in the XX century. Natural and political conditionality of Norilsk creation as the prison camp town, its transformation into the «city of dreams» and the city of plants allow considering Norilsk as a model for analysis of northern regions development. Creation and positive dynamics of recreational complexes for local residents serve as the indicator of successful region development; the set of recreational complexes in Norilsk region represents trends of recreation development on the industrial territories in the XXI century. Refs 32. Figs 5.