I. Metshin: “We can achieve our goals only by combining the efforts”

(KZN.RU, May 17, Alena Miroshnichenko). The implementation of national projects and the strategic development objectives of the RF, described in the relevant decree of President Vladimir Putin, were discussed today. It was at the meeting of the District Advisory Council for the Development of Local Self-Government under the Presidential Plenipotentiary Representative in the Volga Federal District.

The meeting was held in the information center of Balakovo NPP (Saratovskaya Oblast). Igor Komarov, the Plenipotentiary Representative of the President of the RF in the Volga Federal District, Ilsur Metshin, the Mayor of Kazan and the chairman of the Association of Volga Cities (AVC), representatives of the Federal Assembly of the RF, the Ministry of Construction and the Ministry of Economic Development of the RF, representatives of municipalities, and experts took part in it.

Ilsur Metshin delivered the main speech on the development of local self-government of cities belonging to the AVC. The head of Kazan marked that the meeting participants will be able to achieve their goals only by combining the efforts at all levels.

“Achieving the goals set is possible only due to the coherence of work at all levels of government. As the head of state noted in his address to the Federal Assembly, the results of the implementation of national projects should be visible in every subject of the Russian Federation”, said I. Komarov, opening the meeting. He marked that the role of local authorities in this matter becomes the most significant. Competitive conditions are created for the implementation of projects at this level, including the provision of public transport, new residential neighborhoods, landscaped territories, their subsequent maintenance, and others. The effective distribution of funds is the responsibility of the regional and federal levels of government, which provide funding for the implementation of national projects.

“The main directions at the local government level are economic security, housing and the urban environment, as well as safe and high-quality roads”, said I. Komarov, He marked that today the residents of the area as a whole negatively assess the quality of the road surface and the level of improvement of settlements. “The implementation of national projects should be noticeable, first of all, to citizens. Huge funds are spent on improving the situation in the country on the projects “Creating a Comfortable Environment” and “Safe and High-Quality Roads”. Until 2024, about 40% of all budgeted and extra-budgetary funds are planned to be allocated to the implementation of these national projects. Due to this, we expect to improve the situation in this area”, said the speaker.

Ilsur Metshin, the Mayor of Kazan, spoke about the formation of a comfortable urban environment. According to him, one of the priorities of the city authorities is the renewal of housing and communal services and the formation of the urban environment. He noted that the powers of local governments in the housing sector have the lowest budget financing. But despite this fact, each city and each subject of the RF finds its own ways in resolving this issue.

He cited Kazan as an example. The program of housing overhaul was launched in 2007 by Russian President V. Putin at a meeting of the State Council in Kazan. For 11 years, 2717 houses were repaired for a total of 17.5 billion rubles, living conditions were improved for more than 545 thousand residents. The Mayor of Kazan also added that an integrated approach was applied to capital repairs in the city, when residents, in addition to renovated roofs and communications, received more landscaped yards. “We reconstructed 2215 yards for 2284 houses”, said I. Metshin.

Igor Komarov reminded another important task: the transition to a new system of solid municipal waste management.

Well-organized public spaces also form a comfortable urban environment. For example, the program of reconstruction and new construction of parks and squares is being actively implemented in Kazan with the support of Rustam Minnikhanov, the President of the RT, investors, socially active entrepreneurs and industrial enterprises. He spoke about the revival of the Lebyazhie lakes systems, improvement of the embankments of urban lakes, Volga and Kazanka rivers. “In total, 70 parks and squares, 20 new boulevards and recreational areas worth 4.5 billion rubles have been landscaped and built over the years of the program”, said Ilsur Metshin.

He spoke about the positive changes that have occurred in other cities included in the Association of Volga Cities. “Our colleagues from Ufa realized their plans for the comprehensive repair of houses and yards within the framework of coordinated implementation of programs at various levels. Having united 4 projects together, they were able to improve the living conditions of almost 10 thousand people”, said I. Metshin. He also added that the project of improvement of the Moskovskaya Embankment in the capital of Chuvashia was recognized as one of the best in the All-Russian competition “Best Municipal Practice”. “The experience of Cheboksary was selected among the most effective and interesting solutions that other municipalities can replicate”, said I. Metshin.

The Chairman of AVC marked that all the works on reconstruction and improvement were preceded by discussions with residents. “We in all municipalities involved citizens in discussion plans, They actively expressed their vision of a particular park or boulevard, constantly monitored the progress of work and saw that this was done for them and taking into account their opinions. As a result, new parks have become the favorite places for citizens and guests”, said I. Metshin.

According to I. Metshin, one of the most prominent mechanisms of “initiative budgeting” is a project in support of local initiatives implemented in the Saratovskaya Oblast. The most effective projects selected at meetings of citizens and aimed at solving local issues will receive financial support. Thus, the landscaping of the boulevard will be carried out in Balakovo.

Continuing the report, the Mayor of Kazan noted that the condition and maintenance of the road network is one of the main indicators of the comfort of each metropolis. “The national project “Safe and high-quality roads” sets the task of repairing 85% of the urban agglomeration road network by 2025, and we must achieve these goals”, said the Mayor.

“5-6 years ago, the quality of Kazan roads caused criticism. But thanks to the unprecedented support of Rustam Minnikhanov, the President of the RT, the picture has changed. Today, 81% of the roads in Kazan are in standard condition”, said I. Metshin. At the same time, not all cities have such support at the regional level.

Speaking about roads, I. Metshin noted that the road network requires timely and high-quality cleaning. “There is a problem in terms of road maintenance financing standards, which have not been revised for a long time. This issue is being solved at the level of subjects. Therefore, we appealed to the Government of the RT. The increasing of the standard by 25% will allow us to improve the quality of road maintenance, especially in the historic part of the city. It will positively affect the tourist attractiveness”, said I. Metshin. He added that in the cities of AVC, these standards are also insufficient. “We are asking for support from the regional authorities to revise them”, he said.

The District Advisory Council for the development of local self-government is a platform where the heads of municipalities can share their experience in implementing national projects, offer ideas for the development of territories, and enlist the support of federal and regional authorities.