Ilsur Metshin on the meeting with the journalists: “I live by the interests of our city and citizens”

The mayor of Kazan Ilsur Metshin met the media representatives today. At the traditional New Year press conference, he announced the results of 2019, told about future plans of Kazan in the year of the 100th anniversary of the TASSR, answered sharp questions about the protesting citizens and said why he loves his job.

 “We are making improvements not only in the downtown, but also at the suburbs”

Opening the meeting, Ilsur Metshin noted that the year was productive. Among the significant results, the mayor noted the overhaul of the housing resources. During the 11 years of the program's existence, 2717 houses were renovated, where live about 540 thousand residents. In addition, today 246 yards have been repaired and almost all schools that are older than 30 years. This year, 18 kindergartens have undergone overhaul, and medical institutions and cultural palaces are being actively repaired.

“We have reached records for the construction and repair of roads. For Kazan to develop, it is necessary to spend more than 7 billion rubles. This year, 7.2 billion rubles were allocated for this purpose”, - the head of the city summed up the work in the road industry.

Speaking about the improvement of public spaces, Ilsur Metshin reminded that the work was completed as part of the renovation of the Walk of Fame in Yudino, at the boulevard “White flowers”. “We continued to work at lakes and forest of the park Lebyazhye. A lot of work is being done on the improvement of the lake Kaban. But I am glad that we are making changes not only in the downtown, but also at the suburbs – for example, in the park “Dubrava”. We also renovated the lake Komsomolskoye, which is a favorite of the residents of the Sovetsky district,” - the mayor reminded.

Plans for next year: 100th anniversary of TASSR and New wave festival

Already this year, Kazan has begun preparations for the celebration of the 100th anniversary of the TASSR. On the eve of a significant date, the Zambezi river zoo opened its doors in a technical mode.

An important milestone of the year was the 45th world championship in professional skills WorldSkills Kazan 2019 in Kazan. This event caused a surge of interest in working professions, said the mayor.

Among the tasks for the coming year, I. Metshin mentioned the celebration of the 100th anniversary of the TASSR and hosting of the popular music festival “New wave” in August.

Citizens will be able to enjoy new views of Kazanka

At the meeting, a question was raised regarding the development of the site on Gavrilov street, at the bank of the Kazanka river. I.Metshin explained that a new landscaped area is planned here, in which only a smaller part of the area will be used for residential development. On the most part, there will be kindergartens, a school, an embankment, a park and a promenade. “Believe me, it will be a beautiful place where the residents of the houses on Gavrilov street will be able to enjoy new views of Kazanka. According to the new regulations of the General Plan, there will be a comprehensive development of the territory”, - the mayor explained.

Media representatives were also interested in the details of the demolition of landmark buildings for citizens. This year, a bath building was demolished in Derbyshki. “Many years ago, we wanted to carry out overhaul there, but, unfortunately, the building was completely rotted and could not be repaired”, - said I.Metshin.

In particular, this event was the reason for the rallies. The mayor of Kazan shared that he respects the point of view of the citizens, because the way how people express their opinion show that they are not indifferent to what is happening around them.

“I share concerns of the activists and their desire to carefully study the process from the inside”

When asked about the construction of a waste incineration plant, I.Metshin reminded that it is planned as a part of the national project “Clean environment”. “I share concerns of the activists and their desire to carefully study the process from the inside”, - he said, adding that an international examination will be carried out, the results of which will be communicated to citizens.

“As they say in sports- look at the scoreboard”

This year, Ilsur Metshin was elected the President of the UN Advisory Committee of local governments. Journalists asked how the new position will be useful for Kazan and what I.Metshin plans to do in the new post. “This is the only platform at the UN that represents municipalities. For me, this is an exchange of best practices, because each city is interesting and has accumulated successes”, - he said.

I.Metshin was also asked how he assesses the living standards in Kazan at the moment. “We do not award ourselves high titles. A respected expert community has recognized us as the best city in Russia for the living standards of the population, so, as they say in sports, “look at the scoreboard”, – said the mayor, recalling the award of Kazan by the Financial University under the government of the Russian Federation. – But this does not mean that we have all the problems solved”.

Major events have changed not only the city, but also the citizens

The mayor mentioned the issue of sports events when answering a question from one of the journalists about the key events of the decade. He stressed that the right to host the 2013 Universiade, received in 2009, determined the upcoming work. “The preparation, holding of events and their legacy have changed not only the city and infrastructure, but also the citizens and their living standards”, - he said.

I.Metshin also reminded that Kazan continues to bid for the right to host the 2023 UEFA Cup. The decision will be made in March 2020.

“I want even more changes”

The mayor was asked to share why he loves his job. “I love that my work is about a creation: construction of venues, improvement of parks and squares. I live by the interests of our city and citizens, I want even more changes, I try to learn in order to make Kazan the most comfortable, the safest and the happiest. I have enough power and authority”, -the mayor replied.