MINSK, 28 December (BelTA) – Belarusian Deputy Minister of Housing and Utilities Andrei Romashko revealed how many new multi-use sports spaces and playgrounds were set up in the Year of Improvement in the latest episode of BelTA’s project “The Nation Speaks”.
“In addition to repairing and maintaining existing grounds, 477 new sports, recreational, and children's grounds have been built across the country, primarily in neighborhood areas. If we break by region Minsk Oblast leads with the highest number, an increase of 210. The other regions have added around 40–50 each. Mogilev Oblast is slightly ahead with 95 new play grounds,” Andrei Romashko said.
These facilities were not built solely using budgetary funds. The Year of Improvement has also spurred public attention toward this issue.
“Citizens are increasingly responsive to such initiatives. I am not referring to purely civil society initiatives. Within the framework of housing and utility services, there is an option to engage citizens' funds, either partially or fully, for additional improvements and landscaping efforts in neighborhood areas. Housing and utility organizations offer citizens specific projects. For example, an additional service called 'improvement and ongoing maintenance of neighborhood areas.' Where they see a need, they propose solutions: installing play equipment at the residents' expense. The budget does not always cover all current needs. The demand and desire of the people sometimes exceed the available resources,” the deputy minister explained.
Of the 477 multi-use sports spaces, a small percentage was created with public contributions, but people are more responsive to proposals when they see that it will improve their living environment, Andrei Romashko added.
“In addition to repairing and maintaining existing grounds, 477 new sports, recreational, and children's grounds have been built across the country, primarily in neighborhood areas. If we break by region Minsk Oblast leads with the highest number, an increase of 210. The other regions have added around 40–50 each. Mogilev Oblast is slightly ahead with 95 new play grounds,” Andrei Romashko said.
These facilities were not built solely using budgetary funds. The Year of Improvement has also spurred public attention toward this issue.
“Citizens are increasingly responsive to such initiatives. I am not referring to purely civil society initiatives. Within the framework of housing and utility services, there is an option to engage citizens' funds, either partially or fully, for additional improvements and landscaping efforts in neighborhood areas. Housing and utility organizations offer citizens specific projects. For example, an additional service called 'improvement and ongoing maintenance of neighborhood areas.' Where they see a need, they propose solutions: installing play equipment at the residents' expense. The budget does not always cover all current needs. The demand and desire of the people sometimes exceed the available resources,” the deputy minister explained.
Of the 477 multi-use sports spaces, a small percentage was created with public contributions, but people are more responsive to proposals when they see that it will improve their living environment, Andrei Romashko added.
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