As a part of the initiative of First Lady Olena Zelenska “Without barriers”, Mayor of Mariupol Vadym Boichenko, has signed a Memorandum on the development of barrier-free architecture in Ukraine. It aims to create equal opportunities and develop a universal public space friendly to people with limited mobility. The event took place on March 19 in Kyiv.
The main goal of the document is to attract settlements and territorial communities of Ukraine in the development of an environment accessible to people with limited mobility and to develop best practices in creating a universal public space.
“When we started working on the Barrier Free initiative, we knew it would be a big project. But now, the project is turning into a large-scale movement, where not only individuals, business, but also entire cities and regions are involved. I will be glad to see new regions among the participants, and I assure you that I am ready to contribute to the implementation of interesting and necessary projects,” the First Lady of Ukraine Olena Zelenska noted.
Vadym Boichenko presented the key barrier-free projects that have already been implemented in Mariupol. The Mayor also spoke about upcoming projects that will be created as part of Olena Zelenskaya’s initiative to develop barrier-free space in Ukraine.
“Accessibility should become the new norm in society. So far, not all people have the same opportunities for development due to limited infrastructure. We must change this and make our city, like the rest of Ukraine, accessible and comfortable for everyone. We must do everything for the successful implementation of this initiative,” the Mayor of Mariupol emphasized.
Now in Mariupol, projects of accessibility in the provision of services have been implemented. Thus, the 1991 Mariupol IT hub and the Multicenter service center are equipped with barrier-free elements. New municipal transport is low-floor and equipped with retractable ramps, modernized schools, kindergartens and hospitals with ramps.
By 2025, it is planned to implement a number of large-scale projects in Mariupol, taking into account the elements of accessibility. It is planned to allocate about UAH 800 mln for the implementation.
Thus, the Roads without Barriers project provides for the creation of universal pedestrian crossings and overhaul of the underground central crossing. It is planned to renew 60% of central roads and avenues. The central passage of the city will be equipped with special lifting platforms and ramps, which will ensure unhindered movement for people with disabilities.
Within the framework of “Childhood without barriers” initiative, equal conditions will be created for children to receive educational and social services. It is planned to overhaul the Center for Social Rehabilitation of Children with Disabilities. A modern base for the full rehabilitation of more than 1000 children will appear in Mariupol.
Another area is “Sports without barriers”. The goal is to create the first full-fledged Olympic-level inclusive pool in the Donetsk region “Neptune”.
As part of creating barrier-free conditions, it is planned to make accessible 40% of administrative institutions. The major renovation of the executive committee building, which was damaged during the events of 2014, will create a modern and open office building. The new municipality will become even more accessible.
It is planned to create a Social Office – the most accessible center in the city and in the region as a whole. Each of the residents will be able to freely use a large package of services and facilities.
It is planned to equip 50% of the city’s housing with accessibility elements: to equip the entrances where people with disabilities live with ramps and update the elevators. They will receive new comfortable opportunities for life.
“Mariupol must become a city without barriers. This is another step towards the creation of a modern European city based on the principles of equality and accessibility. I am sure that due to initiative “Without barriers”, all residents will receive equal opportunities,” Mayor of Mariupol Vadym Boichenko said.
