How to make your city better: 6 easy steps
Miscellaneous / / April 03, 2023
1. Leave the car. At least for a day
Cars pollute city air morethan industrial enterprises - they account for up to 80% of emissions. Also constant noise from cars. negatively affects health. Look for an alternative among sustainable transport. For example, sometimes it is worth traveling on business by tram, metro or electric bus. Bicycles and scooters can be rented not only for riding in the park on weekends. And when the weather is good, it's nice to walk along the streets. Such actions are quite capable of improving both life in the city and your well-being.
It is difficult to give up a car in a metropolis, so a new habit should be introduced gradually. Let's say you choose one car-free day a week, and at the end of the month, calculate how much money you've saved. And you can combine walks with pleasant things. For example, look for cool cafes, cinemas, fitness centers nearby and go there by all means on foot.
2. Become a volunteer
Projects are different: activists are expected in parks, libraries, schools, nature reserves. You can apply to a specific fund and help regularly, or you can participate in a one-time promotion. For example, to contribute to the organization of some city festival or to join volunteers who clean up garbage from the local lake.
Such activity has a lot of advantages: you can learn something new, dilute your daily routine and meet people who share your views. Volunteer experience will come in handy when looking for a job - some companies evaluate not only the skills of candidates, but also their active life position. A line in your resume that you participated in archaeological excavations or helped an animal shelter looks more convincing than the banal “social skills” and “stress resistance”.
To help Russian cities become better, it is not necessary to repair or clean up something with your own hands. You can sign up as a volunteer and accompany the All-Russian online voting for new improvement facilities. Residents of the regions choose them every year. In 2023, the promotion will run from April 15 to May 31 on the platform za.gorodsreda.ru. Voting was made possible thanks to the national project "Housing and urban environment».
The task of volunteers is to help people who do not own modern technologies to participate in the survey. Activists acquaint the population with objects and give the opportunity to vote through a special application. Last year, more than 51 thousand volunteers joined the project and helped to collect 51% of the votes. Russians over the age of 14 can become volunteers now. To do this, you need to apply on the site dobro.ru and take a short training course in "Good. university».
More possibilities3. Go to Saturday
Streets and yards are traditionally put in order in the middle of spring. This year, the All-Russian Subbotnik will be held on April 22. The action involves not only cleaning. You can plant flowers in the front garden, paint the playground, borders and benches. It is not necessary to obtain permission from the district administration or the management company. But you can take brooms, rakes, shovels from them, and even ask them to take out the garbage.
Subbotnik is not only a great opportunity to freshen up the space around you, but also an occasion to get to know your neighbors better. Invite them to gather in the yard and have tea after you put everything in order. And don't forget to take photos before and after the clean-up and share them on social networks.
4. Decorate the yard. You will like the result
Urban aesthetics is not only clean paths and a new playground. You can add basic decor yourself, after agreeing with your neighbors. The yard will become a little more comfortable if street garlands appear at the entrance. In winter, you can add an elegant Christmas tree to them, which will delight all the children in your home. If at least half of the residents bring a toy, then the cost of a festive tree will be minimal.
In summer, the space for creativity is even wider. You can arrange a recreation area: hang a hammock between the trees and put a few old chairs. Add a waterproof box with board games or books nearby and invite your neighbors to bookcross. And if you like to make something with your own hands, work on the design of the front garden. For example, make decorative houses, a windmill, bird feeders, or a pretty carved fence.
5. Pick up trash while walking. He won't disappear on his own.
If you miss the April Saturday, it doesn't matter. The city can and should be put in order regularly. By the way, cleaning is a great workout that can replace a boring gym. Pick up trash in the park, in the woods near your home, or on the city beach. If you see a candy wrapper or a bottle thrown away by someone, do not step over them - you can just pick it up and carry it to the trash can.
Try to make the job of the janitors easier. For example, often at the entrance to the entrance, unnecessary leaflets and flyers are lying around. To prevent residents of the house from throwing them anywhere, put a large waste paper box near the mailboxes. If you have a dog, take bags and dustpans for a walk so that passers-by do not have to face unpleasant “surprises”.
6. Participate in public discussions
Citizens may well influence the decisions of the authorities. When a new ramp is built, what will happen to the trees in the park, what the historic quarter will look like after reconstruction - such questions are brought up for public discussion. You can find out when and where they take place on the website of the local administration. Personal attendance at meetings may not be required - proposals are often accepted through feedback forms and by e-mail. In addition, offline expositions of projects are sometimes held, where local residents can familiarize themselves with documents, ask questions to the organizers and share their ideas.
The well-being of the city is made up of many small steps. If every resident makes them, courtyards and streets can be transformed beyond recognition. An easy way to influence the appearance of the city is to participate in voting for objects for improvement. You can make your choice online. Enter the platform za.gorodsreda.ru, get acquainted with the projects and choose those that should be implemented in your city in the first place. You can cast your vote from April 15 to May 31. In total, since 2019 in the country, thanks to the national project "Housing and urban environment”, more than 55 thousand public and courtyard areas have already been landscaped.
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