The vision of Kyiv in 2025 presented by President Viktor Yanukovych this week certainly sounds impressive. It ticks all the boxes: modernizing creaking infrastructure, improving people’s lifestyles and raising the level of municipal services.
But the main sticking point in the plan is not what is mentioned, but what is left out – how on earth will it happen?
Given the corruption and mismanagement that have plagued all levels, including Kyiv, it is almost impossible for the plan to be realized at all.
Over the last 20 years, successive municipal governments have failed to provide let alone improve basic services, such as roads, garbage collection and hot water supplies. Yanukovych admitted that only one-third of the proposed reforms were implemented last year, despite his virtual monopolization of power in the country.
So why should this spectacular plan be any different, especially given that it has no official status?
The strategy states no total cost, but many elements of it run into billions of dollars, and it is unclear where this cash will come from, as the central government continues to grapple with its budget deficit.
Big plans are great, but the strategy looks more like an unattainable dream. Dreams can provide powerful motivation, but they also need to be injected with a healthy dose of realism.
Rather than hearing grandiose plans for completion in 14 years’ time, Kyivans deserve something more tangible.
The authorities could perhaps start with one district, providing incentives for local businesses and communities to contribute to its redevelopment, providing a model for other areas.
Or how about a fully budgeted plan to improve the city’s roads – not just those used by top-level government officials? That would offer immediate economic and lifestyle benefits to Kyivans.
Residents of this beautiful capital city deserve more than empty plans and talk about an unreachable future. They deserve real improvements now, starting with the basics: hot water, clean streets and reliable services from a transparent, effective government.
