Alexander Sidyakin: “A lot of things in Kazan are an example not only for Bashkortostan, but for whole Russia”

(KZN.RU, January 22, Ksenia Shvetsova, Alena Miroshnichenko). Today the delegation of the Republic of Bashkortostan is in Kazan with an official visit. Guests from the neighboring region came to study the experience of the Tatarstan’s capital in various areas of the urban economy. In particular, Alexander Sidyakin, the head of the administration of Bashkortostan, and Ulfat Mustafin, the Mayor of Ufa, inspected the improved public spaces of Kazan today.

Welcoming the delegation from Ufa, Ilsur Metshin, the Mayor of Kazan, noted that the traditions of exchanging experience between the two republics started many years ago. “I wish that we and our teams continue to maintain friendly relations. We always have something to learn from Ufa and Bashkortostan, many things you do well”, said I. Metshin.

Ulfat Mustafin noted that although he had been to Kazan before, he had arrived in the capital of Tatarstan as the head of the Ufa administration for the first time. “We decided that we needed to come and see Kazan personally, learn something good, and share our experience”, he said.

“You made a significant contribution to the lawmaking of Tatarstan. As the Mayor of a large municipality, it was always a pleasure to work with such professionals who are never afraid to face difficult issues and understand them”, said Ilsur Metshin, addressing Alexander Sidyakin. Since 2011, he was a deputy of the State Duma from the RT, and since October 2018 – the head of the Administration of the Republic of Bashkortostan.

“For me, the relations between Ufa and Kazan, Bashkortostan and Tatarstan, have special meaning”, said A. Sidyakin. “We have always treated the leadership of Tatarstan and the city with great respect. Much has been done, which is an example not only for Bashkortostan, but also for Russia”.

The delegation from Ufa began their visit to the capital of Tatarstan with a tour of public spaces. Ilsur Metshin, the Mayor of Kazan, and Natalia Fishman, an assistant to the President of the RT, told the guests about the process of parks and squares landscaping.

First of all, the guests visited the Belye Tsvety Boulevard on Absalyamov Street, which has been recreated just in several months. Half a year before, there was a parking lot of heavy trucks and a mound of construction waste. Now, the new boulevard complements the neighboring public spaces Pobedy Park and “Istanbul” Square and also provides local residents with safe and comfortable access to public transport stops and houses.

The Boulevard, like all other parks and squares of Kazan, is distinguished by its creative design. Among the most noteworthy art objects, Ufa guests were shown a typewriter key with letters of the Tatar alphabet at the entrance from Yamashev Prospect. The idea of creating the building was inspired by the image of an old typewriter made for the famous Tatar writer Abdurakhman Absalyamov.

The delegation also visited other recreational areas located on the boulevard: a children's playground, places for calm repose and other facilities that create a special atmosphere in the new public space.

During the walk, guests looked at a new cafe on the boulevard. Natalia Fishman emphasized that when new projects are created in Tatarstan and its capital, the leadership of the republic and the city immediately attracts business and designs facilities for entrepreneurs with all the networks necessary for work.

The Ufa guests were impressed by the Gorkinsko-Ometievsky forest, on the territory of which a two-storeyed ski base is currently operating. The landscaping began in 2016. As part of the first and second phases, lighted ski tracks were laid in the park, pedestrian and bicycle tracks were set up, art objects and entrances were established, a pump track, a fountain, an eco-center “Dom”, as well as rental centers for sports equipment and other facilities were opened. Last year, the third stage of reconstruction was completed, during which new walking paths to art objects and a walking area for dogs have appeared.

The guests walked along the park, examined the building of the ski base, and visited the children's eco-center. Today, environmental-oriented workshops, classes of associations, and various environmental activities are held on the basis of the center.

“Who makes all this for the city - one holding or small and medium-sized businesses?” asked the Mayor of Ufa, looking at photographs of art objects and sculptures of Kazan parks. N. Fishman explained that basically this work is carried out by small and medium-sized businesses, which are selected in accordance with the tasks and production capacity of the enterprise.

Guests from the neighboring republic highly assessed the level of improvement of the forest park and noted that Kazan’s experience in creating public spaces could be useful for any large Russian city.

Timur Alibaev, the head of the Aviastroitelny and Novo-Savinovsky districts’ administration, Roman Fatkhutdinov, the head of the Sovetsky district’s administration, Marat Zakirov, the head of the Directorate of Parks and Squares, and others also took part in the meeting.

The program of the Ufa delegation visit to Kazan will not end here. Guests will also see other city parks, visit the Kremlin Embankment and the Staro-Tatarskaya Sloboda.