Andrej Ďurkovský: „Spending present“ counter future is not right
He spent almost all his previous life in Bratislava. In 1982 he graduated from the Building Faculty of STU. As a building engineer he was working in the position of the chief designer with Hydroconsult Company first of all and then in Austrian project office Vasko in Vienna. In the Bratislava self-administration he has worked since year 1990, when he was elected in the first free communal elections a deputy of the Old City district. In year 1994 after another elections he advanced from the post of vice-major to the post of major of the Old City municipal district, where he succeeded in radical change the face of the historical centre during two electoral terms (reconstruction of Korzo, Hviezdoslavovo Square, revitalization of several cultural traditions). Since year 2002 he has been represented Bratislava as the highest executive representative already second electoral term. After current successful premiere of the new product Stavebné fórum.sk – working breakfast, which he took under patronage, we asked Andrej Ďurkovský, the major of the SR capital, for interview.
Bratislava with its surrounding presents economically the most productive agglomeration of Slovakia. Will it also keep this „margin“ in the period of the country all over reduction of industrial performance caused by the global financial crisis?
The capital considers seriousness of the situation and the need to solve the economic crisis impacts in economical and social areas as well. I assumed to solve particular steps in a wider plenum at a round table, which could mitigate the crisis situation not only in Bratislava, but also at other towns and villages of Slovakia. It held several days ago under participation of the self-administration representatives, entrepreneurial environment and professional sphere as well. Its result was the common resolution, which can be the useful base for the SR government in the question of solving current complicated situation.
Latest assumptions of industrial growth for this year show, that success for Slovakia would be already that, when real numbers would not drop to minus. How the macroeconomic stability of the state relates immediately with investment activities of its capital?
The capital sees the way mainly in the support of these subjects, which could make its own production more intensive in spite of current situation. Investments to residential houses warming up, like are for example sun collectors, to educational projects … For example there we would like contribute as the economic centre with the highest degree of development in Slovakia by programs in looking for positive solutions and ways out from the current situation utilizing scientific and educational institutions and other subjects.
Which are – besides transport structures, reconstruction of communications under administration of the capital and renewal of the DPB vehicle park – other priority chapters in the budget of the capital for year 2009?
This year the city starts several great projects – from those, which belong among priority ones, I has to remind the re-building of the Winter Stadium of Andrej Nepela, where the Ice-hockey World Championship ought to be held in year 2010. The city also access to the complex repair of the Old Bridge, which value added will be rails for the tram to Petržalka in addition. While adding our priorities and investment projects till year 2010 we mainly focused on areas of renewal cultural-historical sights, sports facilities, objects of Bratislava ZOO and public green vegetation. From great investment projects in the area of municipal and public green vegetation the city is preparing the Forest Park Draždiak project in Petržalka, urban studies of the Malé Karpaty part of the Bratislava Forest Park and the municipal office has already approved the urban study Zlaté piesky (the Gold Sands). The intention of the project is to build-up the sports-relax area with large possibilities of its utilizing.
Compared with the last-year balanced budget assumptions show, that this-year budget will be the deficient one. Did you count with such variant while planning the budget priorities of Bratislava for year 2009 and which will be needed to give them up in an emergency case or to postpone them for later?
The capital set this-year budget like the balanced one. However, I have to state that after the agreement of the government with the Association of Towns and Villages of Slovakia we will forfeit about 10 millions Euro. So we will have to compensate it somewhere really, what however will be extraordinary difficult. By all means we do not enforce flooding capital expenditures to usage, it means to ordinary expenditures. „Spending present“ counter future is not right in my view.
Ongoing recession creates crisis situations, which will be necessary to solve in still narrower co-operation not only of states but also regions. How can react for the new situation for example the so much reminded, but till now more theoretically then practically, triangle Vienna – Bratislava – Budapest?
Of course, mutual exchange of knowledge is extraordinary important. Last week I met the major of Budapest, next week I am going to meet the major of Prague. I mainly consider personal meetings with several representatives of regions or big cities to be a space, which is needed using it for overcoming current complicated problems. Because Slovakia like a country of former „eastern block“ is currently – twenty years after revolution change first time confronted with really large economic problems, which it has to solve. Comparison of processes on the level of towns or regions can be for us mutually enriching. I believe, that the nearest European summit of regions and towns in Prague, which will held at the end of next week, will bring us particular experiences from overcoming obstacles. I will inform my colleagues on proposals from Bratislava for the mitigation of the crisis consequences not only in the form of mainly economic measures, but for example also about possible changes of conditions for spending Euro funds.
Does the city Bratislava plant to create the crisis regime, a committee or strategy, which will promptly react for changing situation? If yes, which areas of the budget it will touch the most?
The rule of the self-administration in the process of preparation and taking saving measures is very important. The self-administration is closest to inhabitants namely. It was the reason, why we met on Tuesday and prepared the resolution at the round table, which we intend to submit to the government. Not only representatives of the self-administration met at the round table but also entrepreneurs sector, banks, the Economic University, the National Bank of Slovakia or independent institutions. Moreover, we confirmed with discussing participants that it is necessary and extraordinary important to often held such meetings.
To which extend the investment activities of the capital depend on the credit sources?
Bratislava is in debts only to such extending to which laws enabled it. The debt could seem high for somebody, but I have to add by one breath, that we pay our commitments honestly. We succeeded in obtaining very convenient credits namely, as well we re-financed them the same conveniently. Thanks that we can carry out investment projects today and this way we enable private sector in order to obtain public orders and could employee people, who will earn money, will be spending them etc. Bratislava will help economy and the problem with paying the credit would not occur either in the nearest future. It can be said, that towns and villages are reliable partner for banks, because simply they have not where to run and have to pay their debts. By the way, also bankers appreciatively wag above really convenient credits today, which Bratislava has. They state that today we could only dream about them.
** Can it be estimated that in the nearest period Bratislava and its surrounding will remain the region, where the most estate opportunities and transactions on the Slovak market will be concentrated?**
Surely, the answer is yes. Of course that we realize certain carefulness of investors, but several projects are ongoing so far. I believe that Bratislava will keep this trend, because where can money be invested better if not just to the projects in the capital. Everybody knows, that the crisis will finish one day. We do not know when namely exactly, but we know, that surely yes – history already advised us. After that those who had financial means and did not hesitate, will profit. However, it also wants entrepreneurial foresight but also carriage. The capital will not break development artificially, assuming that, all conditions of investment will be kept. Only this way Bratislava can keep current 3-percentage unemployment and to help other regions of Slovakia, which have not the advantage of outstanding location.
Photo – www.bratislava.sk
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