Global Agenda-2030: Cities in Belarus on a sustainable development path

January 23, 2020, the BelTA press center hosted a press conference “Global Agenda-2030: Cities of Belarus on the path of sustainable development”. It was dedicated to green urban planning in small and medium-sized Belarusian cities and the contribution to Sustainable Development Goals 3 (good health and well-being), 7 (low-cost and clean energy), 8 (decent work and economic growth), 9 (industrialization, innovation and infrastructure), 11 (sustainable cities and towns), 13 (combating climate change), 17 (partnership for sustainable development).

In her speech Tatyana Kononchuk, Head of the Main Department of Environmental Policy, International Cooperation and Science of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Protection of the Republic of Belarus, stressed the importance of green economy and green urban development for achieving Sustainable Development Goals. A green economy is a model that stimulates income growth and job creation without risk to the environment. At the same time, it ensures efficient use of resources and inclusion of different groups of the population. The principles of green economy have a positive impact on rural development, increase incomes and attract investment. Tatiana Kononchuk also noted the success of Belarus in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals: the share of electrification of public transport in Minsk amounted to 40% of all land passenger transport, organic agriculture, Green Cities movement, investments in green enterprises are developing, voluntary commitments to reduce carbon dioxide emissions have been made. Pilot projects on green urban development and developing replication mechanisms of green urban development experience in other cities of Belarus are another important step in this direction.

Irina Usova, project manager of the Green Cities project, spoke in more detail about the project implementation in Belarus. The project has developed new documents for three pilot cities of Belarus – Polotsk, Novopolotsk and Novogrudok: Green urban planning plans. A Unified Plan of Sustainable Urban Mobility for Polotsk and Novopolotsk was also developed. The main goal is to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Vera Sysoeva, architect, expert on green urban planning of the Green Cities project, told more about what the green urban development plan is.

The green urban development plan provides clear answers to the questions why, where, how and what to do to make the city sustainable. It combines a strategy of socio-economic development with spatial development of the territory. In this way, all tasks have their specific location within the city. The strategy itself is a list of priorities and projects that the city would like to implement in the next 2-5 years, and the vector of development it sets for the future until 2040. An important task is to introduce the green urban development plan into the Belarusian practice as a methodological document contributing to the implementation of sustainable development goals. Experts have developed a list of specific activities in cities based on the vision of the future. It was determined with the participation of the stakeholders and city residents and is based on a survey on what urban problems they are concerned about now. In total, about 7000 citizens took part in the survey.

For each of the three pilot cities (Polotsk, Novopolotsk, Novogrudok) a series of open cartographic materials was prepared, which include data on the condition of housing stock, quality of development, distribution of population density, green areas, availability of public transport stops and other urban infrastructure (a total of 20 electronic maps for each pilot city, which are planned to be placed in the public domain). The green urban plan focuses on emission reduction and a favourable urban environment. The document was developed based on the analysis of existing programs and internationally recognized indicators. It was approved by the local council of deputies as a local development program and was posted on the websites of city administrations.

What were green urban development plans in the pilot cities?

“Polotsk. Let’s build bridges.” The purpose of the plan is to renew the bridges in the literal sense, to establish links between different parts of the city, to ensure continuity. Three topics of the plan: diverse city, cozy environment, harmony with nature. Strategy: strengthening of the center and development of self-sufficient districts on the basis of transit-oriented development model, formation of district connectivity and mobility without extra cars.
“Novopolotsk is new again. Version 2.0“. The purpose of the plan is to increase the attractiveness of the city as a place for life and work, to ensure sustainable economic growth and improve the quality of the environment. Priorities of the plan: sustainable city, smart city, comfortable city. Strategies: formation of a single water-park system, development of a closed-cycle economy, improvement of living comfort with the help of smart technologies, transit-oriented development.
“Novogrudok. Let’s save the future“. The aim of the plan is sustainable development to improve the quality of life. Priorities: comfortable urban environment, use of historical and natural potential of the area and development of circular economy. Strategy: transformation of existing areas in accordance with the principle of green urban development and rational use of available resources. This provides for a reduction in the number of storeys and comfortable courtyards. The budget of such projects for the district is one and a half or two annual budgets, but taking into account the implementation period until 2050, these amounts can be planned and investors can be attracted.

All three projects increase the social value of territories and energy efficiency of development, provide equal access to basic urban structures.

What exactly has been done in the pilot projects?

In Novogrudok there was a grand opening of streets equipped with smart LED lighting system. 400 LED lighting fixtures, 25 control cabinets and an intelligent control system were installed. Energy savings can reach up to 30-40%, and reduction of greenhouse gas emissions over 10 years will be 13,3 thousand tons of CO2.
A feasibility study is being prepared for seven Belarusian cities to modernize street lighting.
Recommendations on introduncing green procurement principles into practice at city and district level are developed.
A methodological guide to organizing and conducting procurement of goods and services using green procurement principles has been issued.
Smart sustainable development strategy for Brest was developed and approved as a long-term sustainable development strategy.
A special public transport lane was introduced in Polotsk.
Bicycle lanes in Polotsk and Novopolotsk are being renewed.
Construction of a special pedestrian and bicycle lane in Novopolotsk has started.
The algorithm of “green wave” in Polotsk and Novopolotsk is being implemented with the help of smart traffic lights, synchronization of traffic lights and remote control of the algorithm. This will increase the speed of transport communication, reduce the number of accelerations and brakings, which ultimately reduces CO2 emissions.
Modern public transport stops with new information boards in Polotsk and Novopolotsk will be installed.
Indoor bicycle parking will be installed in Novopolotsk.

Which other Belarusian cities will become green?

As a result of the competition 5 cities were selected to be provided expert support in the development of Action Plans for Sustainable Energy Development and Climate: Baranovichi, Pruzhany, Liozno, Mstislavl, Slavgorod. In June 2019, the development of the Green Urban Development Plans was started in the towns of Zelva, Korma and Krichev.

The Green Cities project is implemented by the United Nations Development Programme in partnership with the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Protection of the Republic of Belarus and financed by the Global Environment Facility from 2016 to 2021, and is aimed at developing green urban plans.