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Mathias Brandt, director of the project Integrated Urban Development in Ukraine jointly funded by Swiss and German Governments in cooperation with Ministry of Regional Development told URE Club in the interview about major tasks and goals of the program, stages of its realization, involved cities, as well as obstacles in the way to its realization.
What are the objectives of the project Integrated Urban Development in Ukraine?
We want to pave the way for a new concept of city development in line with the Charta for sustainable European cities, the so-called Leipzig Charta. Unlike the current very strict general plans for cities mostly imposed by a centralized service unit on the cities, we want a flexible frame for local planning which gives room for local solutions. We cooperate with our political partner the Ministry of Regional Development and the cities of Chernivtsi, Winnytsia, Zhitomir and Poltava.
Formally speaking we take away the chains of a rigid plan to a more adaptable model that gives room for local solutions and decisions. In terms of content it is clear: we introduce a planning logic that puts the human being and the community in the centre of all decisions. Not the car. Locals are being involved in decision making. We like to give the city back to the citizens. If you do not like the way your parks and public places are designed, here is a gate where you can enter your ideas.
What are major differences between approaches to urban planning in Ukraine and in countries of Western Europe
The biggest differences are a much more integrated approach in looking at the substantial functionalities of a city in one single development concept. In Ukraine you have sectoral plans but very often not compatible as different specialist develops the plan and quite often do not coordinate or even cooperate. A second big difference is, we look at the specific strengths and weaknesses of a city, may it be in science, economy or industry, tourism, culture, education and so on..and based on an in-depth consultation process we develop a kind of vision for the future of each city, let us say a “virtual future”. After that, we seek to align all development priorities to match with this virtual model. So it is a very long-term (20 years) approach. But we want the quite often costly decisions of today withstand the challenges of tomorrow. Involvement of citizens at all stages is a further big difference.
Does Ukrainian legislation and business environment in the country encourage or on the contrary impede the implementation of the best urban planning practises
It clearly impedes such approaches. The whole system is not made for local self-governance. Central authorities have decision making power they should not have as it is none of their business. Norms are unclear, the ways building permits are issued are intransparent, information on cadastre is unreliable and often difficult to obtain. Many norms are outdated. Cultural heritage is weakly protected. People are basically not involved. Together with our partners from the four cities and the Ministry we are about to make a comprehensive analysis of details and will come up with hands-on proposal how to change which norm and which law or administrative procedure. But we also need to say, that quite a number of regulations are good. They just need to be properly implemented. So, not all is bad.
In what way are the Ukrainian cities supposed to be changed as a result of the project?
We will have much better coordinated and cooperating city administrations who understand where the city should go to and how to take on board opinion of people. We count we will have much more active citizens and an administration that provides room for development, socially, culturally, economically and by means of infrastructure. Cities will never be perfect, as problems quite often grow quicker than solutions and means. But our experience in West European cities show that cities develop quicker and spent their resources much more effectively, provided they have such an integrated model. Moreover, all of a sudden decision makers put the needs of people up front. That improves the quality of public space. In many cities already as of today changes take place in such a direction. But, please: do not expect wonders. We need persistency. Look at how Lwiw has changed in less than 10 years. With a clear vision things move.
Why does the initiative include Chernivtsi, Vinnytsia, Poltava and Zhitomir? What are the key features of these cities?
Three main reasons: 1) They should not be medium sized cities with maximum 400 000 people. 2) They should have strong commitment from the political leaders and 3) we wanted to have cities from East and West to contribute to further integration through cooperation.
What are the first results of the initiative? How are cities and its resident’s life changing?
No results in this respect. It is too early. We do not have the magic wand. In three years we should talk again…
How do you cooperate with local authorities? Do they support the program implementation and its further development?
They fully support us and I am really happy and fully motivated because of that. Each mayor has nominated a special envoy who directly reports to him. The mayors have established an interdisciplinary working group comprising the decision makers from all core departments of each city. And we have now identified a group of about 10 to 15 local experts from NGOs from University and local business who help us collecting and analysing all data. In September and October, we have major events where up to 200 NGOs and local initiatives bring up their priorities…At the end of the year, we like to have a model ready for starting a full scale public participation process, with citizen information hubs, social media etc…2017 will be the year of development. After we have these plans ready to be decided upon by municipalities, implementation will start. Yet it is also clear: live goes on and projects will continue.
