Residents of the Zaton microdistrict in Pavlodar learned at public hearings that a draft revision of the city's master plan had предусматривал the construction of multi-storey housing and a school on the site of their private homes. However, after appeals from the residents, authorities decided to preserve the existing housing.
HOW RESIDENTS FOUND OUT ABOUT THE POSSIBLE DEMOLITION
According to KTK TV channel, discussions about the possible demolition of homes in the Zaton microdistrict had been ongoing for some time, but residents had received no official information. The situation changed after public hearings on the revision of Pavlodar's master plan.
Resident of the microdistrict Aydar Kasimov said his family moved to Zaton five years ago and invested funds in building a house.
"We've been building for five years and are still building; building materials are sitting here. And now we hear that the main master plan is changing, that they want to demolish our district. All of this, everything we've done, is slated for demolition; we simply don't understand," he noted.
Resident of the microdistrict Marina Togayeva reported that people found out about the hearings by chance the day before the discussions. On the map presented, residents saw markings indicating that new construction was planned on the site of the private housing sector.
WHY RESIDENTS OPPOSED THE PROJECT
After the public hearings, residents of the microdistrict began collecting signatures for an appeal to the Akim of Pavlodar. Almost 150 families signed it.
Lyudmila Prokasheva, silver medalist in speed skating at the 1998 Olympic Games, who lives in this area, also joined the appeals. She stated that residents expected explanations from the city leadership and the deputy they had elected.
"Many people, as you can see, are elderly, and many of them are getting stressed. We would like to be reassured," Prokasheva noted.
WHAT THE PAVLODAR AKIMAT RESPONDED
Mikhail Yermenkov, Head of the Department of Urbanism, Planning and Development of the Pavlodar Akimat, confirmed that the draft master plan did indeed предусматривал the development of the territory with the placement of multi-apartment residential buildings and an educational institution.
However, the official said that after public discussions and appeals from residents, a decision was made to preserve the existing individual residential housing (IRH).
According to him, the authorities intend to leave the microdistrict in its current state. Residents were also promised an official letter cancelling the demolition plans.
As clarified in the article, the authorities intend to adopt the new master plan for Pavlodar by the end of 2026.