Kakha Kaladze, the candidate for Tbilisi mayor from the Georgian Dream-Democratic Georgia party and the incumbent mayor of the capital, has unveiled his environmental protection policy initiatives for the upcoming four years to the public.
The event was attended by Georgia’s Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze, Parliament Speaker Shalva Papuashvili, and Tbilisi City Council Chairman Zurab Abashidze.
In his address, the capital’s mayor highlighted the vital importance of recreational spaces. He emphasised that, thanks to initiatives undertaken by the municipal authorities in recent years, a vibrant park culture has been revitalised across the city.
“As the mayoral candidate of the ruling political force and the person responsible for Tbilisi’s present and future, I continue to acquaint our population with upcoming plans.
Today, I must speak about the policy and direction that Tbilisi’s very reality best exemplifies. When we arrived in 2017 with the promise that Tbilisi would become a ‘city full of life’, we envisioned exactly what we see today: parks, squares, and recreational spaces bustling with people of all ages, with young people in sports grounds and skate parks alike. Enormous-scale work has been carried out in environmental protection policy. We have not left a single district or neighbourhood of Tbilisi untouched, not a single square, garden, park, lane, thoroughfare or even transport island in greening Tbilisi. On territories that were once turned into rubbish dumps and swampland, today the most beautiful parks have been established, which each of my colleagues takes pride in,” declared Kakha Kaladze.
According to him, the first crucial step was the development and approval of the city’s comprehensive land use plan, which explicitly designates specific areas solely for recreational purposes.
“In 2017, we encountered a very bad and harmful practice, when recreational areas were being alienated so that various construction work could be carried out there. Many territories had been alienated. We completely changed this grave practice. We are not opposed to business and urban development in the city; however, such progress must never come at the expense of destroying recreational spaces, cutting down forests, or polluting the air. These harmful practices, which have become deeply ingrained, are unacceptable and must be halted to ensure sustainable growth and the well-being of our community. Of course, business development and urban growth are essential, and the city should be expanded in a well-planned, sustainable manner. However, this progress must not come at the expense of recreational spaces and sports grounds. Such compromises are categorically unfit. I believe that profitable projects should be aimed at fostering an environmentally clean living environment, allowing us to increase green spaces within the city. Every decision we make, whether it involves infrastructure development or issuing construction permits, must prioritise the greening component. This aspect is essential and vitally important for the sustainable future of our city,” stated the capital’s mayor.
According to Kaladze, the municipality has taken difficult steps in recent years and reclaimed several significant territories from private owners through relocation.
“Today, I can boldly promise you that we will not tire, will not weary, and will necessarily see this matter through to the end, so that in four years we leave the city, our children, and even our opponents a far more orderly environment, because this city belongs to everyone and does not constitute anyone’s political property. The only team that can truly manage and implement significant projects in the city is precisely Georgian Dream-Democratic Georgia,” declared Kakha Kaladze.
The capital’s mayor expressed gratitude to every employee of the municipal authority and administrative staff for their dedication and hard work on both the projects already completed and those currently in development.
“For projects already implemented and planned, I want to thank my deputies, the city environmental protection service, and the Ecoservice Group employees, who tend the green territories and beautify them daily. I would like to extend my gratitude to the employees of the district administrations and everyone who has contributed, even in small ways, to the greening of our city. Most importantly, I thank the citizens of Tbilisi, who recognise the visible positive changes in the city. Their support inspires us to do even more and to continue beautifying our city for everyone. I have met countless people who have left the country; everyone speaks and emphasises how green the capital has become and how well-maintained it is. I believe Tbilisi will triumph on October 4. Peace to Georgia, more good to Tbilisi. Victory and success to our city,” declared Kakha Kaladze.
The presentation of planned environmental protection policy projects was attended by representatives of the Cabinet of Ministers, Tbilisi City Hall, Georgia’s Parliament and City Council, as well as young people and industry specialists.
