Satellite cities of Minsk: how alternatives to the capital are developing - in ONT report

How are the satellite cities of our capital developing? The question is far from idle. Back in 2014, there was a presidential decree, which is called “On the development of satellite cities”. As they say, the answer to the demand of life. This status was given to Dzerzhinsk, Zaslavl, Logoysk, Smolevichi, Fanipol and the city village of Rudensk. The idea is simple and clear: you cannot bring all people to the capital: Minsk already has 22% of the population of Belarus.

This is bad from the point of view of the development of the country's economy, and the position of comfort of life. There are traffic jams on the roads. Therefore, the issue of the development of small cities within a radius of 60 kilometers from Minsk arose.

First results

The project is large-scale, complex and costly. Therefore, its implementation is gradual. However, the results are already clearly visible.

Over the past ten years, the population of the capital’s satellites has grown from 12% in Dzerzhinsk to 52% in Smolevichy. The Smoleviches grow the fastest. Now a new neighborhood for 19 houses is being completed there, a new school has been opened, two kindergartens will soon be completed.

Transport communication of satellite cities with the capital is being established. Not everything is perfect, but the issues are being resolved. In the near future, for example, the launch of intercity electric buses. And the construction of new enterprises, such as AMKODOR-LESMASH in Logoysk, where the President recently visited.

Smolevichi: life without moving to the capital

The large Golyachenko family lives in the satellite city for the fourth year. They say that solving the housing issue here was much easier. Although, in general, the standard of living is not inferior to the capital.

Anastasia Golyachenko: And such an apartment, we can say for free got, as they say. Four kids, we made some money. But this is not the amount that even implies the construction of housing. That is, I do not observe any disadvantages.”.

Work near the house

However, many with a move to Smolevichi do not even mind changing jobs. What is the point of constantly driving to the capital, if you can earn well here?

Andrey Karpitsky, electric gas welder of Dorelektromash: It was much easier to adapt here. My aunt and I lived with my father. It's built like a lot of kids. In principle, there were no problems when moving. From a friend I learned that there is an enterprise "DorElectroMash". Well, basically, I came here after that. I have been working here for three years.”.

The local enterprise that produces special equipment employs about 200 people. The products are in demand, the conditions are comfortable, and the team is confident in the future. The inflow of personnel (and not only from the capital) is welcome here.

Smoleviches are growing faster than anyone else

Therefore, it is not surprising that Smoleviches are already ahead of most major cities in many important parameters – birth rate, new jobs, wages. And in general, only Ostrovets grew so dynamically in the recent history of Belarus, but there the nuclear power plant is a city-forming enterprise.

Ilya Sobolev, ONT correspondent: Smolevichi received the status of a satellite city 12 years ago, and during this time there have been cardinal changes. There are new neighborhoods, social facilities. But the plans are even more ambitious. By the 35th year, the number of residents will almost double (up to 50 thousand), and the area of Smolevich will significantly increase.

And the city itself will remain a large construction site for a long time. Every month there are new discoveries.

Fanipol: the new center of gravity

And towards the south-west of the capital - another satellite of Minsk. Fanipol is only 15 minutes from MKAD. And there's a big construction boom here, too. And it's not just about housing.

Previously, the city planned to build a fitness complex, but later it was decided to move to a larger settlement - Dzerzhinsk. Employees of the enterprise asked Alexander Lukashenko to create a sports complex in Fanipol. According to the Belarusian leader, the authorities will try to find a suitable option. He instructed the leadership of the region to work out and submit relevant proposals to it for consideration.

Said, done! Thus, a new center of attraction appeared in Fanipol.

Tatiana Kazyulina, Administrator of the Aquamarine Sports Complex: Our morning begins with the arrival of pensioners who work with us in the Active Longevity group. In the afternoon, you will meet students who come to classes in physical culture. And in the evening we have a particularly hot hours, because people after work try to get to workouts. Adults bring children to various sports clubs.”.

In general, Fanipol, in every sense, is one of the youngest cities in Belarus! The fast-growing satellite of the capital, where in the coming years the population is expected to increase by another third. Obviously, at this rate in art school young talents will be crowded.

As with the Smoleviches, Fanipol residents often look for work closer to home. The city has a large industrial cluster, therefore, the demand for personnel is growing.

What is missing from the city

The same is true of the people of Zaslavl! The city seems to be enough, but for emotions and entertainment – increasingly in Minsk.

Svetlana Kartasheva, Chairman of the Zaslav City Executive Committee: We lack coffee houses, we lack an open cinema. In this regard, we are slightly underdeveloped... To the Bolshoi Theatre in the Republic of Belarus we get 30-40 minutes, no problems at all. Therefore, there will be no separate theater in Zaslavl, but the stadium is our next project.

Moreover, the local “Isloch” this season is closer than ever to the medals of the football championship of the country! And if anyone comes to Zaslavl, then here I definitely want to stay longer.

Who grows up faster

Not only Zaslavl, but each satellite is unique in its own way. But it is still obvious that the closer it is to the capital, the more attractive it is, which means that it is developing more dynamically. So, the capital's sun - although it shines, but not all the same? Or rather, so – the sun shines all the same, but the capital it or satellite, does not matter.

Alexey Novikov, Chairman of the Committee on Architecture and Construction of the Minsk Regional Executive Committee: Almost 1.2 million square meters of housing have been commissioned in satellite cities over the past period, and almost 80,000 have been commissioned only in satellite cities over the current nine months. These are big numbers, there are a lot of people who are solving their housing problems. Somewhere ahead are Fanipol and Smolevichi. But that doesn’t mean we’ve forgotten the rest. That's not at all true. If we are talking about Dzerzhinsk, then only in previous years we built a large modern FOK with several bowls and gyms. At the moment, we are starting to develop a new railway district there.

Transport links to the capital

At the same time, communication with the capital should be flawless. From Fanipol and Zaslavl to Minsk even by public transport you can get in 20 minutes, from Logoysk and Dzerzhinsk - a little longer. But still sometimes faster than from one metropolitan area to another. A trip by train or bus will cost an average of 3 rubles, a shuttle taxi is about twice as expensive.

Sergey Yatsynovych, Director of the company "Minoblpassazhirtrans": "Satellite cities almost all, except, probably, Logoysk, provided in addition to road transport, and also railway communication. The interval of movement in peak time is 15-20 minutes. Monitoring is carried out regularly, we monitor the formation of these passenger flows and, if necessary, add the necessary volumes of traffic.”.

By the way, electric buses will soon begin to run in Smolevichi and Fanipol. There will be new charging stations, and in general, the capital with satellites will be more and more strongly connected with electric transport.

Yes, satellite cities have already become a good alternative not only for Minsk residents, but also for those who would like to live closer to the metropolis. Still, the cost per square meter here is significantly lower than in Minsk. However, some satellites are developing rapidly, others seem to remain in the shadows, although they are also taking steps forward.