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MINSK, 20 June (BelTA) – Another ten cities of Belarus are expected to joint the project to support green urban development in small and medium-sized towns of Belarus Green Cities, head of the project Irina Usova told the media on 20 June, BelTA has learned.

“Our project will be first of all implemented in three pilot cities: Polotsk, Novopolotsk and Novogrudok. We are planning to expand this experience to ten more Belarusian cities. The cities have not been defined yet. Everything depends on the interest from the local administration,” Irina Usova said.

Vera Sysoyeva, adviser on the green urban planning project, noted that the plans for 2018 envisage the development of green urban development plans for the participating cities. “These plans to include sustainable urban mobility, energy development step and air quality improvement projects,” she explained.

The project envisages pilot initiatives on sustainable urban transport in Novopolotsk and Polotsk, efforts to enhance energy efficiency in Novogrudok. A comprehensive approach of green urban development will help significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

The project to support green urban development in small and medium-sized cities of Belarus (Green Cities) is implemented by the UNDP in Belarus in partnership with the Global Environment Facility. The project is focused on green urban development plans, enhancement of energy efficiency and the development of sustainable transport in small and medium-sized cities of Belarus. The national executing entity is the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment. The budget of the project is $3 million.