Linar Zakirov, new head of "Old Town" prefecture

(KZN.RU, October 12, by Taisiya Basharkina). The newly created municipal body - the "Iske Sheher - Old Town" prefecture has a new administrator. The prefect was introduced today by Mayor of Kazan Ilsur Metshin during his routine visit to Staro-Tatarskaya Sloboda (Old Tatar Village). The new administrator is Linar Zakirov, the former head of the Children and Youth Affairs Committee of the Kazan Executive Committee. The prefect is endowed with special powers, his status being equal to that of head of district administration.

It may be recalled that the decision to establish the new municipal authority – the "Iske Sheher - Old Town" prefecture - was adopted September 22 at the 7th session of Kazan City Duma. The task of the new body of the Kazan Executive Committee is to put the historic district in order. The prefecture will take charge of the historic heritage sites, participate in construction planning, zoning, maintenance and landscaping.

Speaking about the challenges faced by the prefecture, Linar Zakirov said that it would be wrong to reduce the role of the historic center exclusively to that of a city business card. "This is our heritage and our history; we cannot lose Kazan’s original look," added the new prefect. However, the "Iske Sheher" head sees his goals as having a somewhat wider scope: the center of Kazan needs comprehensive development. It should become a magnet for all citizens, investors, business people and tourists.