From special equipment to solar power plants: Odesa revises its urban improvement plan

Odesa has adjusted its city improvement program until 2028, expanding the list of works and clarifying funding for the coming years. The changes are focused on roads, outdoor lighting, municipal equipment, mitigation of the consequences of Russian aggression and maintenance of key city infrastructure.

The decision was made by the executive committee of Odesa City Council.

The proposed changes cover a wide range of municipal services, from repairing road infrastructure to modernizing utilities and supporting energy facilities.

The measures include the routine maintenance of Odesa's road network, construction, reconstruction and repair of road drainage systems, as well as the renewal of the property of the municipal enterprise "City Roads". A separate block provides for the technical re-equipment of the enterprise through the purchase of specialized machinery, mechanisms, equipment and inventory for the improvement works.

Part of the updated program is the modernization of the city's outdoor lighting systems. This includes both the routine maintenance of power grids, underpasses and sewage pumping stations that are on the balance sheet of the utility company, as well as the overhaul of outdoor lighting and power supply networks.

It is also planned to re-equip Odesmisksvitlo with the purchase of special machinery, mechanisms and equipment, as well as to overhaul the company's administrative and production facilities.

A special emphasis was placed on the energy sector. The program envisages the operation, repair and maintenance of solar power plants transferred to the city's balance sheet, as well as the purchase of software for monitoring electricity generation and its transmission to the grid.

In addition to the engineering infrastructure, the document covers traditional areas of urban improvement, such as the maintenance of cemeteries, pump rooms, fountains, monumental art objects that do not have the status of cultural heritage, as well as the repair and maintenance of children's, sports and other public playgrounds.

Special attention was paid to eliminating the consequences of Russian shelling. The program provides funds for urgent work to eliminate the emergency condition of non-residential buildings and structures damaged by the armed aggression of the Russian Federation. According to the updated resource plan, almost 2.5 billion hryvnias will be allocated for the program in 2026, more than 4.26 billion in 2027, and another 4.7 billion in 2028.

Overall, the updated improvement program aims to maintain the city's sanitary condition and ensure a safe urban environment. The total amount of funding for the program for 2022-2028 exceeds UAH 15.5 billion, of which more than UAH 9.4 billion is planned to be provided from the budget of the Odesa city territorial community, and more than UAH 6 billion from other sources.

The decision has now been submitted to the Odesa City Military Administration for further approval.

As Intent has previously found out, one of the program's areas of focus is the creation and renovation of recreational areas. Thus, in Odesa, it is planned to create a park-memorial "Against Obligation" on Lustdorf Road. The project is funded in partnership with the German Society for International Cooperation (GIZ) and involves the arrangement of the territory, including a playground.

Repairs are also underway in the Glory and Freedom Park, where the Memorial to the Fighters for Ukraine is located. Additionally, there are plans to restore landscaping elements in Regensburg Park and Enthusiasts Park.

Last year, the Center for Public Investigations analyzed how the funds for landscaping in Odesa were used during the period of former mayor Gennadiy Trukhanov's leadership. According to the analysts, the budget was often planned using generalized wording and without detail.

Анна Бальчінос