‘Kyiv: Facing the Future’ International Forum: Klitschko outlines infrastructure challenges ,
16.12.2019
“We have inherited some problems that pose a threat to sustainable development. A SWOT analysis discovered the main factors, looming critical for us. Firstly, this is a very frustrating driving around the city due to traffic jams, irresponsible parking and infamous marshrutkas. The city’s road network makes it a hassle to drive, walk and move across the city,” he pointed out.
Also a level of metro expansion is not high enough for a European capital city. “We have to obtain significant funding to see Kyiv’s metro stations increase. In particular, the extended metro lines to Vynohradar and Troeshyna neigbourhoods are badly needed,” noted Klitschko.
He also emphasized the importance of completion of Darnytsa Road-Rail Bridge exit ramps as well as Vydubitchy railway terminal.
“We are very intent on completing Podilsko-Voskresenskiy bridge to open it to traffic by the year-end, followed by an extension of the metro line farther into Troeschyna. The bridge project which is almost 40 years old, is an important task not only for the city, and we still expect the government to help speed up its implementation,” stressed the mayor.
He underlined a need to sharply accelerate the construction of park-and-ride facilities near metro stations and at the city entrances. According to the mayor, applying dedicated bus lanes also remains quite an urgent point.
“We need to replace the public transportation fleet – buses, trams and trolleybuses which have to be modern, comfortable and easily accessible to passengers with disabilities. We are replacing old vehicles but we need many more to encourage public transport usage,” said Klitschko.
‘Kyiv: Facing the Future’ International Forum kicks off the public hearings on the draft General Plan – a foundation on which all innovative decisions are based and which sets forth policies to successfully implement the city’s development strategy. Co-organized by the Kyiv Institute of General Plan and the Department of Urban Construction and Architecture under the City Administration, the Forum brought together international and local stakeholders, in particular Guinka Tchavdarova, an expert of the Council of Europe, Stefan Heinig, of the Leipzig city planning department and Thomas Schinko, a lead architect (France).
The Forum’s schedule is packed with panel discussions on such topics as Kyiv agglomeration, urban density, transportation and road network, environment and heritage preservation. International and local experts will share their tactics and vision for urban planning and development as well as the draft General Plan.