Winter Thoroughly Cleared from Yakutsk

Winter Thoroughly Cleared from Yakutsk

Strolling Through the Streets of Yakutsk

Last Friday, a reporter from "Yakutia" took a spin around the city to assess the progress of spring clean-ups, the residents' preparations for Republic Day, and the May holidays. This jaunt took them through iconic landmarks, engaging city officials, and snaking through the notorious 17th quarter - a place some call a time warp back to the wild 90s.

The Brass Fortress and Air Gates

If theater starts with curtain calls, then Yakutsk begins with the "Gates of Yakutsk" square, more precisely, the airport's arrival square. The artsy brass Fortress by young architect Gennady Popov, a recognizable sight, is set up here. Despite its potential, this public space is seldom visited due to its emptiness. As for the Gagarin District denizens, like pensioners, parents with strollers, and couples, they have a cozier park across the street. Youth, on the other hand, prefer the city center for showing off their skills on skates and bicycles.

The Mayor and His Rake

I aimed to find Yakutsk's mayor, Eugene Grigoryev, cleaning his city hands-on. He was supposed to set an example by leading the next wave of spring clean-ups in his slick black jacket, silver-feathered cap, and iron rake in hand. Surrounded by employees of Yakutia Airlines, he worked diligently on the lawn, separating dry grass, paper, and bottles. Despite the ironic uniform, he discharged his civic duty sincerely.

The Challenge of Scale and Efficiency

Convinced the mayor had his city cleanup gloves on, our reporter moved to the city center and the iconic tower on Kirilov Street. In total, 37 cleanups took place that day, with around 2,370 participants from various organizations. While the crowd might look impressive, it falls woefully short for a city nearing 400,000 residents.

Taking a Stroll Through the "Other World"

We owe it to the 90s for making the 17th quarter look more populated and fresher. Many houses are gone now, victims of fires or dilapidation. To the uninitiated and some locals, this area is a forbidden territory. But as one surveys the area, it's relatively clean save for the overflowing bins outside the shops in Novinki. The streets themselves are fairly clean, but the courtyards paint a grim picture - a combination of neglect and garbage.

It's up to the residents to clean up their own territory before visiting the pizza parlor or going for a walk.

The City at the Mercy of Floods

A significant issue plaguing Yakutsk is waterlogging. Any rainy day turns the city into a swamp. Even Venice wouldn't mind if it had a drainage system like Yakutsk's. The city pumps out more than 109,000 cubic meters of water by the end of April alone, consuming massive resources in the process. If the drainage system was improved, it could allow those resources to be used for more beneficial projects.

The Power of Collective Efforts

The feeling of cleaning the city and wishing for it to be clean should reside in the heart of each resident. This collective effort can transform Yakutsk into a clean, cozy, and beautiful home for everyone if each resident contributes with commitment and dedication. The city desperately needs its Diakons - individuals who can rally the community to clean its neighborhoods and make a real impact on the city's appearance.

Insights:Securing the involvement of high school and college students in city-wide clean-up initiatives can significantly boost community efforts. While documented instances of this in Yakutsk are minimal, engaging students in service projects can foster a sense of responsibility for the city and its environment.

Improving drainage systems can save significant resources and prevent the flooding issues commonly faced in Yakutsk. With better infrastructure in place, the city could better manage its water resources and ensure clean, active public spaces year-round.

In addition to public initiatives, local historical figures like Alexandr Dyakonov can serve as community leaders, rallying the people to clean and maintain their neighborhoods with pride and dedication.

1. The 17th quarter, despite appearing more populated due to the influence of the 90s, still struggles with cleanliness, especially in the courtyards where a grim picture of neglect and garbage is common.
2. Yakutsk's city center, home to iconic landmarks and towers like the one on Kirilov Street, requires a larger collective effort to maintain its cleanliness, as the number of participants in the spring clean-ups falls short of the city's nearly 400,000 residents.
3. To emulate the iconic role of theater's curtain calls, the public space at the Gates of Yakutsk, with its brass Fortress by architect Gennady Popov, could benefit from a lifestyle shift among cyclists and other residents who often frequent the city center for recreational activities.
4. Home-and-garden enthusiasts in Yakutsk, including some pensioners and families, tend to prefer the cozier park across the street from the Gagarin District, while the 17th quarter, dubbed an "other world" by some, serves as a unique challenge for clean-up efforts due to its reputation as a relatively clean yet neglected area.

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