The President of the RF about the need to update the urban environment: “This experience appears in Kazan, Vladivostok, Sochi”

Much depends on the local authorities, believes Vladimir Putin.

(KZN.RU, March 1). Vladimir Putin, the President of Russia, noted the need to update the urban environment in his annual address to the Federal Assembly and cited the Kazan experience as an example, which should be taken as a starting point. The event takes place in Moscow at these moments, in the Central Exhibition Hall “Manezh”.

“We need to create a modern environment for life, to transform our cities and villages. It is also important that they retain their face and historical heritage. We already have a successful experience in updating the urban environment and infrastructure. This should be focal point. This experience appears also in Kazan, Vladivostok, and Sochi. Many regional capitals and small cities are changing. We basically learned how to do it”, the President of Russia gave examples.

During the message, the head of state promised to double the costs for these purposes. “I propose to launch a large-scale program of spatial development of Russia, including the development of cities and other settlements, and at least double the costs for these purposes in the next six years”, V. Putin said and noted that the issue of additional financing requires a separate discussion.

He also marked that much depends on the city authorities in this task, and people's opinion should be decisive. “Much will depend, of course, on the city and local authorities, on their openness to advanced ideas, the readiness to respond to the requests of residents of different generations, families with children, pensioners, and disabled people. The opinion of people, what their city or town should be like, are decisive. We have talked about this more than once, including at meetings with the heads of municipalities. Today I ask leaders of all levels to pay attention to it”, he summed up. According to him, it is the development of cities that should become the driving force for the whole country.

The television channel “Russia 1”, “Russia 24” and “First Channel” broadcast the message of the President. 705 representatives of mass media are accredited for the event. Deputies, senators, and members of the government of the Russian Federation, public figures are invited to the event. Rustam Minnikhanov, the head of the RT, also presents in the hall.