But it does have one negative consquence – more smokers in front of bars – which highlights the lack of a coherent strategy to develop Ukraine’s city-centers.
Sitting with friends at the popular hangout Cupidon (Cupid) in central Kyiv, I was surprised when, at around 10:30 p.m., the staff locked the doors. They refused to let anyone into the moderately full pub, and made clear that any exit would be final.
The problem: neighbors were complaining about the noise made by smokers on a cigarette break.
In addition to being a serious fire hazard, the decision quickly emptied the bar as most groups left for places that wouldn’t discriminate their smoking friends.
But while it may have been an unfortunate move on behalf of Cupidon’s management, they are hardly to blame for a growing urban problem throughout the post-communist region.
Many cities in Central Europe and beyond are struggling to reconcile their demographic structure with the needs of modernity. To put it bluntly, there are too many pensioners in city centers, choking not only the night life and small businesses, but also taking a toll on transport systems.
The problem traces its roots back to Communist times, when apartments were distributed according to a number of schemes, all of which involved the most connected party loyalists receiving the top locations in city centers.
Several decades later, those centers sprung into life as cafes opened up and financial districts emerged, with two very different groups co-existing side-by-side.
In some of the cities, those pensioners eventually sold now expensive apartments and bought much bigger, cheaper living quarters outside the city centers, often with a lot left over to cover health expenses.
But in some cities, like Kyiv or Warsaw, a combination of low utility bills, public service prices and personal reticence means they simply will not budge.
This has been a disaster for city life. With steady voter turnout and over-representation in local councils, pensioners effectively veto any new businesses moving into the area.
This makes it harder to set up a pub or office, which are pushed to the outskirts.
This impacts quality of life – not exactly Kyiv’s strongest suit.
Additionally, the current situation is immoral.
The distribution of apartments was not, by and large, based on real value or merit. People received apartments in historic centers for ratting on neighbors or persecuting young idealists, or being related to someone who did.
The case of famed writer Ivan Franko’s granddaughter is also noteworthy. With no discernable accomplishments, Daryna Franko received some $4,000 from city authorities in 2011 to cover uitility bills she hadn’t paid for a 6-room apartment next to Kyiv’s opera house, worth an estimated $2.5 million.
Meanwhile, young students and workers, who would be happy to share such an apartment by dividng costs between six or twelve people, are left in the boondocks.
In the modern cut-throat job market many of them work long hours, in addition to several hours of daily commute each day.
This is one of the reasons why morning metros are bursting at the seams and roads are clogged. Meanwhile, a lack of funds is holding back new metro lines. These could be raised from issuing more licenses for businesses allowed to thrive, real estate taxes or other charges.
It is not necessary to brutally evict the elderly. Good urban planning is about getting the incentives right.
Fees in some areas can be increased, flexible noise and zoning regulations adapted. In other cases, rent control can help attract young blood to revive districts. Kyiv’s authorities should look around to find the solutions that fit the city best.
The point is not to exact some blunt and blind vengeance against the whole class of pensioners. But the most cantankerous of them should not be allowed to hold the city’s life and future hostage.
Kyiv Post editor Jakub Parusinski can be reached at [email protected]
