Improving the dialogue platform for discussing issues of distribution and management of municipal land plots and land use (KGBSK0002)

Commitment ID

KGBSK0002

Commitment Title

Improving the dialogue platform for discussing issues of distribution and management of municipal land plots and land use

Problem

A shortage of available municipal land in Bishkek for organizing playgrounds, recreational areas, safe sidewalks, and sports facilities. Implementing this commitment will improve decision-making efficiency in planning the use of available land plots for the development of socially beneficial spaces. At the same time, without taking into account the opinions, needs of city residents, construction standards, to the detriment of the environment, trees are cut down, multi-story buildings are erected and are going to be built.

The consequences of such inappropriate, irrational distribution and use of municipal land are dense development that does not meet sanitary standards; destruction of green spaces, non-ecological environment; few or no recreation areas, places for walking, cultural leisure; an increase in bronchopulmonary diseases and others, cancer patients; the quality of life of residents of microdistricts is deteriorating, social tensions and distrust of the authorities are growing.

Also, city residents often learn about upcoming city projects from the media, and their comments and suggestions expressed at public hearings may not be influential enough, since the project is already ready, and only minor adjustments are possible.

Status quo

Municipal land plots in Bishkek are distributed in accordance with the Regulation on the procedure for providing land plots for urgent (temporary) use under lease in Bishkek. Decisions on this are made by the Commission for the Granting of Rights to Land Plots. The chairman of the commission is the vice-mayor, who oversees municipal property and land resources. The Commission includes representatives of the Bishkek Mayor’s Office, municipal administrations of administrative districts, structural and territorial divisions of the Bishkek Mayor’s Office, engineering and technical services, as well as representatives of the public, non-governmental or other organizations. However, it is unknown which non-profit organizations participate in this Commission. Moreover, this Regulation does not contain procedures for the competitive and transparent selection of representatives from civil society to this Commission.

Action

To achieve this, it is necessary to transform the Commission for the Granting of Rights to Land Plots from a formal body into a dialogue platform with the participation of various stakeholders (ecologists, persons with disabilities, etc.). Therefore, it is necessary to revise the Regulation on the procedure for providing land plots for urgent (temporary) use under lease in Bishkek and include procedures for the competitive and transparent selection of representatives from civil society to this Commission as well as granting them significant voting right. Improvement of the mechanism for effective interaction between Bishkek’s municipal authorities and residents can ensure efficient land resource management and enhance the comfort and quality of urban life.

How will the commitment contribute to solving the public problem described above?

Enhancing the mechanism of a dialogue platform brings important urban life issues into the public spotlight. The inclusion of active representatives of civil society in the Commission for the Granting of Rights to Land Plots, who will be selected on a competitive and transparent basis, will not only intensify the dialogue, but will also prevent corruption in the distribution of municipal land plots. And the participation of civil activists from various strata (ecologists, urbanists, people with disabilities, etc.) will allow these groups of citizens to receive information about the activities of this Commission.

What long-term goal as identified in your Open Government Strategy does this commitment relate to?

Increasing citizen participation in city development planning.

Primary Policy Area

Civic Space, Social Accountability

Primary Sector

Land & Spatial Planning, Public Services (general)

What OGP value is this commitment relevant to?