By Boris Mikhalev
A state programme to construct residential districts for Minsk citizens in satellite towns, and to shift major industrial facilities outside the capital, is bringing development to Smolevichi, unveiling new possibilities. The scale of work planned is tremendous, utterly changing the face of Smolevichi. Work has begun to bring the town facilities rivalling those of the capital.
The skyline of the town will feature a mix of low and high-rise buildings, enabling the population to rise to 38,000 by 2020 and 64,000 by 2030 (up from today’s 16,000).
No doubt, industrial plants, business centres, entertainment and trading facilities and administrative buildings will soon be attracted, as Smolevichi is just 38km from the capital, with two major roads passing nearby. In addition, it has a railway, a national airport and wonderful countryside, making it a beautiful and convenient place to live. As Smolevichi District Executive Committee notes, incredible impetus for development is expected, and there’re intentions to fulfil state programmes in tighter terms.
The integral town-building idea includes a new residential district designed to blend with the existing environment. A public centre is to launch close to the new town square (near the Smolevichi water reservoir) while recreational and sporting zones are also to appear. Work began last year, with the construction of a football stadium and a site for cultural events. In 2013, a ski-roller track is to be laid, while a stadium and neighbouring areas are be fully developed. The public centre’s facilities will include a business centre (with hotel and car park), a museum, a restaurant, cafes and bars, a cinema and a leisure complex featuring a swimming pool, sauna and bowling alley.
The low rise North-Western residential district (near the village of Lipki, on the road leading to Zhodino) will feature all necessary infrastructure: schools, kindergartens, shops, cultural and communal facilities and local services. A nine-storey building will be housing 142 Minsk families and, in Q3, a large building is to be built for Smolevichi residents. In addition, the central part of town will undergo gradual reconstruction.
Naturally, transport infrastructure will be vital. The Minsk-Smolevichi road is to gain four lanes while a new flyover crossroads is to be built over Magistralnaya Street. A wide main road will connect the satellite district with the new public centre and Smolevichi’s old centre while a semi ring road will allow traffic to flow freely. The road will also pass over the railway line.
The package of measures should improve town infrastructure and the residential environment, allowing people to enjoy the same standards as are found in Minsk — for water quality, heating and drainage, modern communication, electricity and gas supply and waste collection and processing. To improve air quality, industrial and agricultural facilities are to shift outside of the town. Meanwhile, a natural recreational zone is to be developed along the Plisa River.
Industrial plants will be located in the South-West, joining some existing enterprises, and a new industrial zone is planned for the Smolevichi-Plisa road. The Chinese-Belarusian Industrial Park aims to attract high-tech firms and will be unique in Belarus, offering the ultimate in business convenience; logistics centres, hotel accommodation and office space, in addition to financial premises and scientific labs are planned. Enterprises specialising in electronics, bio-medicine and machine building are sought for the site, which is expected to have around $5.6bn injected into its infrastructure over the coming 10-15 years.
Few can argue that the plans are impressive. Soon, the town will be enjoying a modern, convenient and harmonious environment, which will only grow more beautiful with time. Innovative ideas are ready for implementation.
