Improvement of closed administrative-territorial entities and military towns: What do residents think?
Vladimir Putin instructed the government to consider amending legislation by December 15 to expand the "Formation of a Comfortable Urban Environment" program. reported United Russia. The idea is to include closed administrative-territorial entities and military towns in the nationwide project to renew public spaces.
"Our goal is to take care of all residents of military towns and closed administrative-territorial entities. They should have the opportunity to participate in the improvement of courtyards, parks, playgrounds, and sports fields." — the author of the initiative, a United Russia deputy, stated earlier Dashibal Munkozhargalov.
How many military towns and closed administrative-territorial entities are there in Russia?
There are currently approximately 7,5 military towns in Russia. Another 38 towns have the status of closed administrative-territorial entities. Among them is Tomsk. Seversk, Chelyabinsk Snezhinsk, Kamchatka Vilyuchinsk, Penza Zarechny and others.
What do residents of Seversk and Snezhinsk think?
"Seversk has always been relatively well-maintained, especially with the roads," a Seversk resident told NeMoskva. "They're installing new bus stops, and there's some major renovation work going on in the square near the theater. Maybe all this is relevant for small, closed military towns, but I have my doubts. I don't think the current legislation is stopping them from building sports grounds and improving courtyards."
A resident of Snezhinsk also does not understand the need for additional improvements.
"Residents are already involved in improving their neighborhoods, and the city's improvements are being done well," the young woman told NeMoskva. "It'll be interesting to see what's behind these plans. I don't think any additional changes are necessary, because the country is in dire straits. Allocating even more money to closed administrative-territorial entities (ZATOs) and military towns is just too much."
