FIVE CITIES IN ONE
East or West — home is best
Â
The latest research of many scientific centers proved that the tendency towards the transfer to large cities and metropolises of the key efforts aimed at improving living standards and environment, increasing the competitive potential of economy and struggle for outlets will prevail in the 21st century. The globalization process will facilitate the creation of global cities, the centers managing the world economy, financial markets and science intensive productions. Some megalopolis of the world became   city-states. Foe example, the following cities:
1. New York
2. Chicago
3. Washington
in United States of America
4. London
in United Kingdom
5. Berlin
in Germany
6. Rome
7. Milan
in Italy
8. Moscow
in Russia
(Would you like to continue this list???)
These tendencies, which were described above, prompted the necessity to elaborate the concept and strategic plan of a sustainable development of the city of Minsk (the capital of Belarus) by the year 2020.
The Minsk development concept fits in the formula «Five cities in one». The first component of the concept is «The city of health and high social standards». It means the top priority of the technological and socio-economic progress in Belarus’ capital city is not the development of production or technological values, but the Human Being and his/her physical and spiritual health in a safe and favorable environment. The following conditions are to be met to ensure this component:
- clean water,
- clean air, warmth in houses,
- good nutrition, etc.
The second part of the concept – «The city of knowledge and science intensive technologies» – includes the development of the educational, science-innovation complex, creation of a state-of-the-art information structure, restructuring of the industrial complex, technological upgrade of construction and power engineering and encouragement of foreign economic activity.
The third basis of the sustainable development of the city of Minsk is «The city is the center of international communication». It envisages further development of external transport functions, the culture component, tourism, and city media. Besides the economic benefit the communication progress results in a huge advantage for international and human communication in the modern integrated world.
The fourth strategy of Minsk’s sustainable development - «The city favorable for business and attractive for investments» – envisages the creation of such conditions as a favorable tax climate, land relations that correspond to market relations and establishment of the real estate market.
The fifth component of the Minsk development concept is «The city developing democracy with a wide representation of citizens». It aims at elaborating the rules of living in the city, methods of city administration and the interaction between the city authorities, population, companies and organizations, as well as ways to effectively perform the functions of the capital of the country.
«Sustainable development of the city» is not a new tag for old ideas, but a completely new approach directed towards the next generation. Sustainable development is necessary not only for regional, but also for global development, because the ultimate goal is to coordinate the interests of generations, develop social cooperation, improve living standards and become more responsible on a global scale.
<:3Â )~~~
There is no place like home
