PRAGMATIKA.MEDIA: Around the world, green urban areas are historically recognized as a place where everyone is equal. For example, Duchess of Cambridge Kate sometimes plays with her children in public Kensington Park. In your opinion, can the green parks of Kyiv be called "space of equality" today? What should they be, so that representatives of all ages and different categories of the population feel equally comfortable in them?
Yury Korolchuk: If we talk about world-famous parks, I would call Central Park in New York the most democratic. Every time I fly to the garden, I can't resist the temptation to take a walk there. And, probably, precisely because of its unique atmosphere. This is a real place of equality, where a famous politician and an unemployed person with 20 dollars in his pocket can rest nearby. There are several reasons for such popularity. First of all, this is a historically significant place that attracts everyone. Secondly, it is located in the very center of the city and has several entrances from different sides, which is an important condition for the comfort of pedestrians. Thirdly, all green areas of the park are well-kept and attractive.
Yury Korolchuk, director of the TOPIAR landscape bureau. Photo: Yury Ferendovych
Kensington Park has approximately the same significance for London. And now let's answer honestly: can we meet the family of the president or, for example, Rynata Akhmetov while walking in Natalka Park or Mariinsky? I am mentally ready for such a meeting. But it seems to me that they are not ready. Security question? But, allow me, oligarchs or politicians who walk in public parks of the USA and Europe are not covered by bodyguards and snipers. I do not rule out that the first persons of the state are still protected, but they do it completely imperceptibly for the public.
PM: Perhaps our city parks are simply not up to the level of comfort, safety and aesthetics, so that the families of our elite would want to walk in them?
Yu. K.: It is worth starting with making at least one large Kyiv park a model of design and culture. Today, foreign guests are taken to the Lavra, then to Khreshchatyk, then to Andreevsky descent. Well, ok, to Mariinsky Park. For example, I really like the Park of Partisan Glory, there are the best landscape views. It would be desirable - and it is possible to turn it into a city landmark, make it a "place of strength."
In Baku, the most popular place in the old town is Baku Boulevard. The whole city, yes, the whole nation goes out to Baku Boulevard on weekends and holidays. This 5 km long promenade along the Caspian Sea was called the most beautiful embankment in the USSR - the "diamond necklace" of the capital of Azerbaijan. In 2008, the Cabinet of Ministers decided to reconstruct and extend the promenade to 25 km, creating a chain of theme parks. It was a project of a national scale. And when Baku residents call their city a part of Europe, they have good reasons for this. And we have dozens of parks in Kyiv, in the greenest city in Europe, but none of them meet high European standards.
It is worth making at least one large Kyiv park a "place of strength" — a model of design and culture
Even in the off-season, Kensington Park remains a favorite place of rest for Londoners. Image source: lonelyplanetimages.imgix.net
PM: What, in your opinion, is the secret of such super-popularity of the boulevard in Baku?
Anastasia Bardonova: The reason for the success of Baku Boulevard is not only the history and national cult of the family. First of all, it is comfort and cleanliness. I don't know how many times a day they clean and wash here. But there is no garbage there. And in our Mariinsky, which is located next to the government quarter, you can not sit on every bench. Either it is trampled, or everything next to it is spat on and littered. People have no desire to linger in this place, and today Mariinsky Park is more likely a transit zone.
The Walk of Fame at Arsenalna is in the best condition. It was recently renovated, and it is noticeable that the staff takes care of the plants and the condition of the paving. Any corner of nature can be made desirable to visit if you take care of it. Care is a mandatory condition.
Anastasia Bardonova, landscape architect of TOPIAR company. Photo: Yury Ferendovych
PM: Still, the movements are noticeable even in Mariinsky Park. Now from Landscape Alley it is possible to walk through the Vladimir Hill to the Arch of Friendship of Peoples along the paths paved with deck boards, and from there to the Mariinsky Park. But Kyiv urban planners criticized these paths and terraces, drawing attention to the fact that the surface quickly acquires an untidy appearance...
A.B.: I think that the project is actually very successful. The landscape alley with its terraces and transitions looks modern now. Yes, the wood will quickly lose its luster, but the frame itself, the structure there is completely done. The tree will last at least another five years and it can be replaced with a better coating. I believe that when this project was launched, a too large budget simply would not have passed, and the use of a more durable material would have tripled its cost. Despite all this, the flow of visitors has already grown significantly.
Yu. K.: I recently had a conversation with an acquaintance of mine who worked for a long time in the Presidential Administration and received foreign delegations. He was surprised that so much criticism was directed at Klitschko and the architect Myrhorodsky, who designed the bicycle-pedestrian bridge. Here's how you think - were serious financial investments in the project connecting Vladimir Hill and Khreschaty Park justified?
Park "New Holland" in St. Petersburg. The landscape architecture project was developed at the West 8 architectural company. Image source: afisha.ru
PM: The bridge had to appear, its construction was dictated by logic. The second thing is that the realization was impeccable. For example, trees were destroyed in a completely barbaric manner to install supports. But the transition itself closed an important walking route.
Yu. K.: Yes, this is precisely the significance of ego. Because earlier, the same delegation had to drive cars or buses from one attraction to another. Now people can walk through the parks, admiring the views of the Dnieper. Budget funds were spent, and a considerable amount - about UAH 400 million. But this investment is not in the bridge, but in the route, in the pedestrian connection, in the second level of life and leisure, in the image of the Ukrainian capital. We need such projects.
PM: And returning to the topic of equality and parks that unite everyone. You noted that they should be clean, comfortable, fashionable and connect the city. What else is needed for representatives of our new elite to walk next to ordinary citizens?
Yu. K.: A generation must change, I think. You may not agree with me. But in our politics, there are still people who feel comfortable only behind a 5-meter-high fence. Moreover, they do not want the staff serving their closed parks to catch their eye. Moreover, most often these people themselves grew up in simple families, but politics and power have changed them so much that they behave like medieval princesses. And of course, these people will never go to a public park. Well, maybe for the sake of PR. Our society must mature to equality. And the parks, of course, must be brought up to a civilized level.
Until now, there are politicians who feel comfortable only behind a five-meter-high fence
Landscaping of the territory of Poltava GOK. Photo source: TOPIAR
Today, there are only three objects from Ukraine in the list of "100 great nature reserves and parks". These are Sofiyevsky, Trostyanetsky and Alupkinsky parks. None of the capital's green zones is included in this top. I envy the people of Vienna, who can visit the park of the Schönbrunn palace complex, by the way, completely free of charge. It is also a completely barrier-free environment accessible to people in wheelchairs. You can even come with a guide dog. When Vienna is once again recognized in the world rankings as the best city to live in, I immediately remember how comfortable I am in Schönbrunn Park.
PM: Municipal, national or private - which form of ownership, in your opinion, is preferable and relevant for city parks in Ukraine? Schönbrunn is state-owned, as is Central Park. Ukrainians react negatively to the proposal to make parks private. They believe that they will not be available to everyone, at least the entrance will be paid. Segregation is feared. How justified is this opinion?
Yu. K.: The private park "New Holland" recently opened in St. Petersburg. It is located on an artificial island, which was closed to the public from the time of Peter I until 2004. Such leaders of landscape architecture as West 8 took part in the project of restoration of historical warehouse buildings and the creation of a park area. Park "New Holland" is financed by the Millhouse company, which is owned by Roman Abramovich. He has already invested 6 billion rubles in "New Holland" in order to make a high-quality and modern landscape design and ensure appropriate maintenance. Entrance to the park is free, and it has already become very popular. Yes, this is a commercial project, as there is also commercial real estate on the island in addition to the public park. But this project is a demonstration of how the city authorities competently managed the territory, which at the time of transfer from the balance of the Baltic Fleet was in a completely abandoned and wild state. Is it a private park? Private. But public, accessible to all? Yes. Modern and high-quality? Yes.
The creation of image parks should be treated as projects of a national scale
In Ukraine, we have a lot of territories that are not private, but nevertheless closed. The same military Lyceum named after Bohun in Kyiv has a large green area in the very center of the city. But access there is closed. There are green zones near the Olympic Stadium - in state and communal ownership, according to the cadastral map. It would seem that the very center is a great opportunity to make a public park! But all of them are behind high fences.
Or here is an example of a state park with a paid entrance. Entrance to Feofania today costs UAH 30 for an adult. But is the park properly cared for? Last year, a luxurious topiary made of boxwood died - it was destroyed by a fire moth. This topiary is not located somewhere in the corner of the territory - it is located in the very center. How was it possible not to notice or, having noticed, not to react immediately? The fight against this pest really requires an instant reaction of gardeners — in a couple of days, the firefly can destroy the entire array of plants. If during the inspection we see signs of firefly damage, the plants will be treated with insecticides after two hours. This is a question of responsibility. If the plants die due to our fault, we are obliged to pay compensation. Or make a replacement at your own expense.
If in Ukrainian cities there will be parks of both forms of ownership - communal and private, then they will inevitably begin to compete with each other. This is what happened with the Kyiv Zoo. It was always a monopoly. The mayor's office has been discussing the issue of its reconstruction for a long time, but the process was frankly sluggish. As soon as the commercial zoo "XII месяцев" appeared near Kyiv, which attracted some of the visitors, the work in the capital began to boil. Officials, of course, will say that it was a coincidence, but I am sure: the appearance of private parks is also a "magic kick" of power.
Baku Boulevard is the main promenade of the capital of Azerbaijan. Image source: sputnik.az
PM: Aren't well-kept, closed territories of new residential complexes competition?
Yu. K.: Partly yes. For example, the green territory of "Tetris Hall" is 50 acres of excellent quality landscape, designed by "Maksym Kotsyuba Studio". The closed territory of residential complex is, of course, a good example for stimulating officials. But since the townspeople cannot get into these oases, the competition here is relative.
PM: In the USA, state parks are in excellent condition. Private ones, even more so, but state ones demonstrate a standard that is still unattainable for us. Why does this happen?
Yu. K.: Give private companies the opportunity to manage the parks. I know that this topic is already being discussed in the city administration and at a higher level. But for now, they are afraid that people will not accept such a reform. I think we need more information, more examples. In our practice, there was a case when we created several parks for one of the Ukrainian cities, each of which cost 5 million UAH of budget funds. But the City Hall did not find the funds to pay for our service or transfer it to a local private company. They decided that the local utility company would handle it. An hour later we arrive - the parks are full of trash. Grass up to the waist, dead trees. We designed original landscaping elements - beautiful ceramic urns, wrought iron fences, and all this was replaced by cheap analogues from "Epicenter". This is no longer advertising for the government, but anti-advertising. And today such an attitude remains the norm. Politicians treat parks as living toys. Irresponsibly
Duchess of Cambridge Kate on a walk in Kensington Park. London, Great Britain. Image source: Pacific Coast News
PM: Why, in our case, the authorities and communal enterprises do not adhere to the standards? What is the system error, what exactly is the problem with utility companies, with the same Zelenstroy?
A.B.: There are no standards yet. There are also those who can control these communal enterprises that do not perform the simplest maintenance measures. Today they control themselves. Let's say that Natalka Park was opened, and 10 trees were lost in it. Who is to blame? Communal enterprise. How to punish? Who will pay the fine? Municipal enterprise? But it is financed by the city. That is, the city suffered damage, and the fine will be paid from the city treasury to the city treasury. It is obvious that in this case the system of fines is meaningless. But a private company would compensate for the damage.
Another reason for low-quality maintenance of urban property is a complete lack of motivation to do one's job well, because in our country the monopoly in this area is vested in communal enterprises. Even if the maintenance of the parks is bad, he will continue to carry out this enterprise. This applies to both ordinary gardeners and managers. Ordinary people receive a low, completely non-market, but fixed salary. There is no point in trying. It is more difficult with managers. They are used to explaining any problems with natural circumstances. Seedlings died - what can be done, they are so tender!
Communal and private parks will inevitably begin to compete with each other
Yu. K.: By the way, the belief that part of the planted plants will inevitably die simply because "it always happens." is our national trait. I predict that the upcoming flash mob "1 million trees in 24 hours", which is being held at the initiative of the Book of Records of Ukraine and CEO Club Ukraine, will result in the mass death of these saplings. The action is loud, large-scale. Its purpose is PR, hype. Each of us would like to plant a tree in the city, which after 10-20 years he will be able to proudly show to his children or grandchildren.
A.B.: Suppose we plant 35 trees with our office staff. And it would be ideal to take this area under guardianship, provide further care. During the first season, we need to ensure that the service team goes to the site once a week, with water delivery. Now we are calculating and discussing whether to take on such a public burden? On the one hand - costs, on the other - it would be a good visual illustration of the role of service care. We are sure that most of the plants planted during the campaign will simply die without care. And service provides 99% survival rate.
Kensington Park. London, Great Britain. Photo: Andrew. Image source: busy.org
PM: Do you think that the biggest part of today's problems in the green sphere is the insufficient information of stakeholders?
A.B.: I believe that it is necessary to inform and educate the client and consumers (it does not matter whether we are talking about the city government and citizens, or the management of a private company and its employees). They will explain in great detail the advantages of high-quality landscaping. Both moral and material. And the main return is the joy that parks bring to citizens, residents of a closed residential complex or employees of an enterprise.
I will give an example of one of our major projects - the improvement of the territory of the Poltava GOK. We were engaged in complex landscaping: design, earthworks, irrigation, and planting. This is a closed area around the plant, outsiders do not enter there, but the number of employees of the Poltava GOK is about 10. a person comparable to the population of a middle town.
The result of our work impressed everyone so much that today we continue to beautify new plots that were in an abandoned state. People — both managers and staff — appreciated how much the quality of the environment had grown.
The head of the enterprise is a perfectionist in a good sense. He wants to see around him a well-groomed, aesthetic environment and responsible, motivated and satisfied employees. He already had a negative experience: at first, the company tried to make improvements on its own. It didn't work out. Therefore, they turned to professionals. Last year, they tried to hold an internal tender and found out whether the company's employees are capable of taking care of the park on their own. We came to the conclusion that no, it is still too risky.
One of the recipes for happiness is to improve the quality of the environment. Everything is sensitive to this
PM: Do the consumers themselves, the ordinary employees of the plant understand the importance of your work?
Yu. K.: They didn't understand right away. When we just concluded the contract, the employees of the Poltava GOK knew that the improvement would be expensive. The management of the plant made no secret of its plans. And someone was indignant: "It would be better to distribute this money to employees in the form of a bonus!" It is easy to calculate: each employee would receive an additional payment of UAH 500. But I would go to work not through the park, but through the wasteland. Today, any of them, seeing a weed on the lawn, starts to get indignant: "Take measures urgently!" And now, when we are preparing to ennoble another 50 acres across the road, people fully agree with these intentions.
Landscaping of the territory of Poltava GOK. Photo source: TOPIAR
A.B.: For progressive leaders - entrepreneurs and politicians - the importance of landscaping around the office and home is obvious. They think globally - it is important for them to be surrounded by happy people. And how to make them happier? It will improve the quality of the environment. All without exception are sensitive to this.
