Tbilisi Land Use Master Plan Completed
At a press conference on Wednesday, July 4, 2018, Tbilisi Mayor Kakha Kaladze announced the long-awaited completion of the Tbilisi Land Use Master Plan. Kaladze said that the document, signed between the Tbilisi City Hall and the urban planning company City Institute Georgia, is ready to send to the City Council for approval.
“Today is an important day for the Tbilisi Mayor as well as for all of Tbilisi. The works on the Tbilisi Land Use Master Plan have come to an end. Tbilisi Municipality and City Institute Georgia have completed the basic working process and the document is ready to send to the City Council for further discussions,” said Kaladze.
City Institute Georgia was awarded the contract to create the master plan in 2015 and has worked closely with City Hall throughout the process. Kaladze said that the plan’s main concept is a green, connected, compact, and resilient city.
Speaking at the press conference, Kaladze said, “Zoning-related issues have been improved and comply with legislation. The map has been completed and construction permits were placed on it; thematic maps have been created and the internal precinct greenery, linear structures were reflected in it, and the ways of solving property issues were maximally clarified taking the owners' rights into consideration. Implementation of effective tools on restriction was provided for the development of hazardous areas in terms of chaotic construction and geology – part of Zhvania street, Vere Gorge, nearby territories of Gldani Lake and other areas, "said Kaladze.
The mayor revealed that the proposed plan includes four new parks and framework plans for 11 developments, including Lisi Lake, Dighomi, and Tbilisi Sea. The Land Use Master Plan focuses on urban development, cultural heritage protection, the public transport system, environmental protection, economic development, infrastructural organization, and other important directions for Tbilisi.
In the past, Kaladze has said that the master plan is vital for Tbilisi and himself, as mayor. The development process of the plan had a budget of 2.8 million GEL (1.15 mil USD).
By Samantha Guthrie
Photo: Parliament of Georgia