From February 23 to March 20, residents of Vitebsk can take part in the discussion of the general plan of Vitebsk

This is the first time in the history of urban development of the regional center, as noted at the public presentation of the project, held on February 25 at the Vitebskgrazhdanproekt institute, by Leonid Bogdanov, Deputy Head of the Department of Architecture and Urban Planning of the City Executive Committee.

This is the first time in the history of urban development of the regional center, as noted at the public presentation of the project, held on February 25 at the institute "Vitebskgrazhdanproekt", by Leonid Bogdanov, Deputy Head of the Department of Architecture and Urban Planning of the City Executive Committee.

Vitebsk residents who showed interest in the event were informed about the features of urban environment development by Igor Kursevich, chief project architect of BelNIIGradostroitelstvo, one of the authors of the Vitebsk master plan. The document provides for two stages – solving priority design tasks by 2020 and the full implementation of the planned work by 2025. According to the concept, the project provides for general positions of the city's planning structure, the development of its street and road network, functional areas – residential, industrial, public, landscape and recreational, as well as new parameters of socio-economic infrastructure, taking into account the присоединение of the settlements of Luzhesno and Ruba, and an increase in the population of the regional center to 382 thousand people (at the first stage).

According to the plan, the share of apartment buildings in housing construction will be 90 percent. Individual housing construction will also be developed in the peripheral part of the city, in sectors between main streets, as well as with the gradual reconstruction of dilapidated individual housing stock in the central and middle zones. Construction is planned in Tulovo, Bitylevo, Orekhovo, Aksanovka and some other territories.

By 2020, it is planned to complete the ongoing housing construction projects in Bilevo, reconstruct the territory in the Dovator Street area (a detailed development plan has been developed for the first time, the developer is Vitebskgrazhdanproekt), and in the central part of the city. The main and most optimal option for implementation at the general plan stage until 2025 is the construction of a new multi-apartment residential complex "Luchesa".

In the city, it is planned to create a continuous green framework based on the floodplains of the Dvina, Luchesa, and Vitba rivers, as well as existing and future parks, squares, and recreational areas.

Inefficient production facilities will be gradually moved from the central part to the periphery – to the eastern belt, at the entrance along the Beshenkovichi Highway, between Leningradskaya and Titova Streets.

The Northern Bridge is planned in the main road network, which should solve the problem of traffic congestion in the central part of the city. The construction of this facility is of increased interest to the citizens. As reported at the presentation, according to the new general plan, the bridge's alignment has been changed so that it does not "cut" the historical quarter. The construction of this facility is related to the strategic development of the main road system.

Currently, the general plan of Vitebsk is undergoing a series of relevant expert reviews. The study of public opinions is ongoing to allow for timely adjustments. This year, the document is planned to be submitted for approval to the President of Belarus.

Nataliya KRUPITSA, "Vitbichi"