An anti-construction revolution

Even though this piece of news is as portentous as all kinds of crises, impeachments, and resignations, it went almost unnoticed, shoved to the back of the usual reports on the political burlesque show. A couple of weeks ago, an agreement was finally signed on the demolition of the structure being built in front of the National Olympic Sport Complex. The document was also signed by the client, who said during a TV interview that he had been approached a month ago and, before that, the whole story was a matter of media speculations. It is difficult to agree or disagree with this, considering that the scandal has been raging for a year, but the question is different.

It is common knowledge that the uncontrolled and unrestricted construction buildup in our capital by arrogant wheeler-dealers became a national disaster long ago. The disfigured historic center of Kyiv, buildings robbed of sunlight by newly built towers, vanishing children’s playgrounds, uprooted parks — the list is endless. It seemed that it was impossible to check this epidemic.

But it is beginning to be curbed. One can go on about the failures of the post-Orange Revolution period, politicians’ betrayals, the utter disappointment, and the revenge of corruptionists. But Kyivites began to learn how to protect their city precisely after 2004. Since then they have begun blocking the path of the cement-mixing and excavator- driving Moloch, but not always successfully because many things had to be learned on the go. These days it is becoming increasingly more difficult to seize a chunk of public land, and the triumphal march of green fences has slowed down a little.

What is behind most of the failures to stem the construction tide? If somewhere a foundation was laid, a pit was excavated, or even a single pile driven in, that was it. This was the case with the Olympic Complex. The builders looked down their noses at the president of the republic, the cabinet, UEFA, and all of them put together. But now we can quote the title of a once popular Soviet TV program — “obvious but incredible.” Of course, some will say that they smell a rat here; that there must have been a kickback to the investors from the municipal pocket (although there are reports about a no less profitable project in exchange); that it is only thanks to Euro-2012. But I’m driving at something different.

The point is that a precedent, a national one at that, has finally been created. For the first time in history, a builder has retreated. For the first time an urban community has won. Naturally, there will be many “fathers” of this victory because everyone but the laziest bureaucrat would not miss an opportunity engage in a little PR. But the main victors are the residents of Kyiv, those who pay taxes to keep that band of bureaucrats afloat — in other words, you and I. Now there will be other cancellations and other victories. And the bureaucratic and business coterie will be getting more and more painful punches in the nose until they learn to respect us.