The bike path will connect Polotsk and Novopolotsk under the UNDP/GEF project
"Currently, we are massively training people who will implement the project's measures for traffic flow planning, and we are informing residents about what is being done for them and what a green city is," explained Sergey Leychenko.
Quite a few projects have already been implemented in Polotsk and Novopolotsk, including those of an environmental nature (the city has been surveyed for transport impact, and a transport scheme has been developed), and the "Green Cities" project has a solid foundation. "We can now connect the two cities infrastructurally. We will also connect them with a bicycle network. We will build a bicycle path under the project. The UNDP has already announced a tender to select the most suitable route," added Sergey Leychenko.
Activists of the cycling movement will be involved in the road construction project. This is a common practice for the region. So far, Polotsk and Novopolotsk have built intra-city bicycle paths. "For other projects, when we announced a competition among representatives of the cycling movement, they offered their own options, and the best ones were implemented. Today, they are in demand," stated the first deputy chairman. The project also plans to create a public transport management center, update bus stops and information boards, and model routes. "The city has signed the 'Civitas' program convention for the development of electric transport. This is our dream. Novopolotsk has a tram, and the master plan includes extending its line to Polotsk. Electric buses will also be used in the future," emphasized Sergey Leychenko. "The project started in 2016, and we are now in the active implementation phase," said Igor Chulba, UNDP Project Coordinator. "Polotsk, Novopolotsk, and Novogrudok were chosen as pilot cities because they are typical
belarusian cities. Polotsk and Novopolotsk, in particular, have certain transport problems, including in terms of movement between these cities. In addition, there are transit routes. Using this example, we can see how to solve similar transport problems. In Novogrudok, we are working on energy-efficient street lighting."The international seminar, which is taking place on December 5-6, will present the interim results of the "Green Cities" project and coordinate further activities for the promotion of green urban development in Belarus. Participants will discuss national policy in the field of sustainable transport and mobility, and the implementation of energy-efficient solutions. The focus will be on the cities' implementation of the "Covenant of Mayors for Climate and Energy" initiative, as well as measures to reduce CO2 emissions in the implementation of green urban development plans.
Representatives of the administrations of Belarusian cities will share their experience in developing strategies and implementing measures in this area. International experience in planning smart sustainable cities will also be widely presented. Based on the results of the seminar, it is planned to develop proposals for the directions of green urban development in Belarus.
The "Green Cities" project, funded by the Global Environment Facility and implemented by the United Nations Development Programme in partnership with the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Protection, aims to develop green urban development plans, as well as to implement pilot initiatives for sustainable urban transport in Polotsk and Novopolotsk and measures to improve energy efficiency in Novogrudok. A comprehensive approach to urban development using examples will demonstrate the possibilities for significant reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.