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The prolonged challenges of the pandemic did not stop the advance of Kaunas: the city, which is not lacking in innovation and implementation of strategic projects, has recently grown both in terms of population and attracted investment. Last week, the Kaunas City Council approved the mayor and municipality’s report on the most important works of the past year. At the time, Visvaldas Matijošaitis reviewed the highlights of his team during the middle of his second term as mayor.
Population growth and investment
The construction of the S. Darius and S. Girėnas stadiums, the rapidly growing science museum “Mokslo sala” and the construction of a new water sports center with an Olympic-level swimming pool are continuing successfully. These and many other works, according to the Mayor of Kaunas, V. Matijošaitis, show that the pandemic that has shaken the world significantly has not stopped our city’s ambitions.
“I admit, I am being carried away by what I see right now in Kaunas. However, I have listened and know that there are still places in the city that need to be put in order. The recently implemented innovations are the key to a modern, updated and comfortable where people want to live, work and raise their children, ”said Kaunas Mayor V. Matijošaitis, evaluating the city’s achievements in 2019-2020.
His words about the progress of the city in recent years are visually illustrated by figures: during 2019 and 2020, the population of Kaunas grew by more than 6.5 thousand. and they added 293 thousand, and the average salary increased by 30 percent. and exceeded € 1,000 for the first time.
The city has attracted solid direct investment from abroad with a total value of more than 80 million. euros. It is estimated that they will provide more than a thousand new jobs in the near future.
City of Kaunas municipal photo
Infrastructure for sport and innovation
Reviewing the most striking works of the last two years, a project worthy of a separate record on the shores of Lampėdis. A year ago, the modern rowing base of the sports school “Bangpūtys” opened its doors with a complete training complex, and as soon as the track dredging work is completed, the rowing competitions will take place here. higher range. .
Another new object, the new Ice Palace, appeared in the old square next to “Girstutis”. True, for the moment these spaces serve as a vaccination center, but soon Kaunas residents will have the opportunity to visit the stands to watch figure skating performances or hockey fights. Especially since our city team “Kaunas Hockey” won the Lithuanian championship title for the first time in history this year and is ready to defend it even more.
At that time, the reconstruction of the legendary sports hall on the outskirts of the S. Darius and S. Girėnas stadiums, which are under construction, is already being completed. The multifunctional space, which will open its doors this fall, will be open not only to sports, but also to cultural, community and non-formal education activities.
Recent innovations are the key to a modern, contemporary and comfortable city where people want to live, work and raise children.
A no less important achievement is already visible to the naked eye in Aleksotas: the former military aviation area is in the process of being converted and will soon become an attractive Industrial Innovation Park for investors. The 30-hectare plot next to Avenida Europea was equipped with engineering infrastructure last year, and the high-tech companies located here are expected to establish their own research centers and develop prototype production.
Public spaces reborn
The renovation of public spaces has already become a kind of business card for the city of Kaunas. The work, which requires a lot of patience on the part of the residents, finally delights with striking results.
In the two-year summary of the city’s works, one of the city’s symbols occupies an important place: the reborn Laisvės Alley. Now the longest pedestrian street in Eastern Europe (1.6 km) is decorated not only with a granite floor suitable for pedestrians and cyclists, but also with new benches, LED lighting and bright flower beds.
In one of the most visited places in the city, the Laisvės Alley fountain, inseparable from romantic dates, has also been reborn. It has retained its authentic appearance and has been supplemented with new technologies; From now on, in addition to light shows, music and water dance, it also has a refreshing fog effect.
City of Kaunas municipal photo
The face of not only his own, but also the entire city was fundamentally changed by the revived Unity Square. After receiving prestigious design and architecture awards, it soon became an exceptional center of attraction for both Kaunas residents and visitors to the city. After reconstruction, it was decorated with a fountain, an artificial stream, benches to relax and light up. The other side of K. Donelaičio street. located in Student Square.
Green city course
Parks, squares and other green spaces continue to be the center of attention. Recently, the works boiled in the confluence of the Nemunas and Neris, in the park of the embankment of Neris, as well as in the square of the streets K. Petrauskas and M. Jankaus. Nature management works are also in full swing in Ąžuolynas. The reconstruction of the Nemunas island park and the square at the intersection of Kęstučio and Gedimino streets has already been prepared.
To promote sustainable mobility, the public transport fleet has been radically renovated. The total investment in a few years is about 70 million. euros. From now on, passengers in Kaunas will be transported by 85 new Solaris trolleybuses, 100 hybrid MAN buses and an additional Temsa and Mercedes-Benz.
There are even more opportunities to travel in eco-friendly vehicles: the total distance of the bike lanes built in Kaunas has exceeded the 106 kilometer limit. In addition, the city is equipped with a dozen new charging stations for electric cars.
City of Kaunas municipal photo
Preparing for an exceptional event
The Kaunas Cultural Center has been renovated, the central building of the Kaunas V. Kudirka Public Library on Laisvės Alley has been completely renovated and the legendary Romuva Cinema will open its doors to visitors shortly after the renovation. These are just some of the most important projects related to the cultural life of the city.
For several years, Kaunas has come significantly closer to 2022, when the city, which has won the title of European culture, will become the main stage of the Old Continent. Hundreds of activities and events planned due to the pandemic were quickly moved to virtual space, and various performances traveled directly to Kaunas residents in their courtyards.
At the same time, Kaunas makes an important contribution to the realization of creative ideas. During 2019-2020. more than 542 thousand went to new artistic accents. euros. In total, three dozen original ideas have been implemented, which have become unique accents for Kaunas. In addition, the open-air gallery, which has become a city in different spaces, houses around 70 works of street art, so the gray canvas has become the perfect wall of the buildings.
Another very significant recognition is expected next year, when it becomes clear whether Kaunas will receive the strongest tourist sign: seven years of preparation for the inclusion of interwar architecture on the UNESCO World Heritage List have reached the goal.
Concern for the small residents of Kaunas
Starting in 2020, all the little ones who have seen the world will receive a gift: a 300 euro deck to start with the wish “May you grow up happily”. Its content includes a parenting guide, a memoir, a baby care supply kit, and a Kaunas gift card. More than 2.5 thousand people have already been awarded with such surprises. families
Growing children have more opportunities to receive a quality education. For several years, the educational institutions of the city of Kaunas have been at the top of the ranking according to the achievements of graduates. The increasing number of places in kindergartens has made it possible to forget the problem of queues, but the current concern is to make institutions as accessible as possible. A modern kindergarten for 200 people, which was built a year ago in Šilainiai, Kuršių street, will open its doors already in autumn. Another institution in Romainiai, Vijūkų Street, has been designed and will be built.
You can see the complete report of the mayor and municipality of Kaunas for 2020 in a complete and visual way, which was approved by the City Council last week, as well as an overview of the work carried out and the results obtained in the last two years online.
Digital Job Report: we.tl/t-kxBPjjoTt9
City of Kaunas municipal photo
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