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UNDP project on green urban development to be implemented in four more cities in Belarus
Photo undp.org
MINSK, 26 February (BelTA) - The UNDP project “Supporting Green Urban Development in Small and Medium-Sized Cities in Belarus (Green Cities)” will be implemented in four more cities of Belarus, UNDP project consultant Vera Sysoeva told the media, BelTA has learned.
“Literally within one month we will announce a contest for four cities that will receive expertise assistance in developing a plan of green urban development. We will help them draw up a development strategy and a plan of action to reduce CO2 emissions,” Vera Sysoeva said. The contest will be open to small and medium-sized cities. We will apply several selection criteria and will offer a small bonus for small towns, she said. The most important thing is that a city has some experience in the field of sustainable urban development, display a desire work in a new way and has proactive professionals in city administrations, Vera Sysoeva noted.
The UNDP project “Supporting Green Urban Development in Small and Medium-Sized Cities in Belarus (Green Cities)” is funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and implemented in partnership with the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Protection in 2016-2021. The main focus of the project is on the pilot initiatives on sustainable urban transport implemented in Polotsk and Novopolotsk and energy efficiency improvements in Novogrudok. In late 2018 the project reached its practical phase. According to Vera Sysoeva, a part of the initiatives will be implemented by late 2019.
“A number of energy efficiency measures are being implemented in Novogrudok this year as part of the Green Cities project. These measures include the replacement of inefficient street lighting systems with LED smart lights and the installation of a smart metering system for energy resources at residential facilities (for the first time in Belarus),” the consultant said.
Smart lighting is a lighting technology designed for energy efficiency. This may include high efficiency fixtures and automated controls that make adjustments based on conditions such as occupancy or daylight availability. It also helps reduce the number of injuries on the streets and enhance overall safety. The expected energy saving from investment in energy-efficient lighting in Novogrudok is 596 MWh per year, which the reduction of the current expenses by $90,000.
According to Vera Sysoeva, the project envisages the installation of smart meters in a pilot residential building operated by a partnership of owners. “Such meters show how heat, electricity, water and natural gas are consumed. Consumption of household resources will reduce by 5-10% as a result of the installation of such smart meters,” the UNDP representative added.
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