CASE STUDY #5
YOUTH FOR UB
Youth community for urban challenges
Aldarsaikhan T. and Tsatsral B.
CHALLENGE
The construction boom in Ulaanbaatar (UB) has had two sides: it brought development to the city but the drawback has been grabbing public space from local residents. According to the World Health Organization guidelines, green space per capita should be nine square meters. Residents in six central districts of UB have around four square meters per person (2015, 2018), . In addition to insufficient green space, accessibility is a challenge given the distance and resources necessary to visit nearby parks and mountains of UB.
There are many factors for shrinking green space in UB and one of them is inadequate legal requirements for consultation with local communities at the planning stage of construction projects and obtaining approvals. The “Prime Minister B. Tserendorj Street” case, more known to the public as “The Fountain Street”, is a recent case that was able to garner widespread protest against its redevelopment plans. It is one of the oldest streets of UB, rich with memories and histories, and was fenced on August 5, 2017 to launch construction work. When issuing a decision for an underground commercial center and parking lot, the Municipality did not consult with local residents and business communities. A grassroots movement was quickly formed when local residents shared the launch of construction work on social media.
SOLUTION
A group of urbanists, including urban planners and lawyers, supported by those who love UB – local residents and business owners -joined together to stand against the municipal decision to demolish the street. The movement from its onset decided to take a more serious approach than to merely protest. They analyzed the municipal decision from a legal point of view and educated the public through a campaign via TV and online news outlets, publishing articles and holding press conferences. The movement committee consisted of urbanists, lawyers, as well as local community members, and began a month-long dialogue with municipal officials, questioning the legality of the decision and brought on an expert’s opinion
on the negotiation table to discuss if the proposed project was technically and financially viable as claimed by the authorities. With these approaches, their dialogue with the authorities was informed, evidence-based and constructive. During anti-demolition gatherings at the site, the movement leaders avoided arguing with law enforcement officers. Instead, they determined that reaching out to decision makers, who were absent at the gatherings, would be more effective.
The movement was also creative with their campaign events: one of them was an open concert – Celebrate Public Space: Let’s Make Positive Change - to appeal to everybody who loves their hometown. The concert was a way to attract and reach out to youth to their cause.
Local and international artists, including Magnolian, Bazo, Kris Schroeder, Jazz Train participated in the open concert on August 12, 2017 to unite more youth under the movement. At the concert, actions and presence were equally important to the movement leaders: they called youth to wear bright colors as a symbol to save their greenspace in UB and use only positive slogans and posters. Around 100 youth came by during the open concert but their social media stories and posts brought more impact than their numbers, spreading the movement to more people, said Aldarsaikhan T. and Tsatsral B., on behalf of the movement organizers.
Mongolians rarely march to defend our rights or stand against injustice. When demonstrations do happen, young people are wary to join and show support due to the political agendas associated with organizers. However, the movement – Save Our Fountain – is one of the few initiatives born in the grassroots to save a very valuable public space, something that is continuing to disappear in UB. Their relentless fight that started in August 2017 went on for months culminating in the Mayor’s decision to keep the Prime Minister B. Tserendorj Street as it is. The fence for the construction site was taken down on May 23, 2018.
By joining the movement, the representatives of the local community and youth learned valuable lessons: standing against unlawful decisions by informing and educating local communities requires persistence, time, and effort. However, their protest approach has proven to be far more effective than simply marching on the streets. Aldarsaikhan T. and Tsatsral B. conclude that the biggest reward for them was learning that accomplishing a successful movement and defending the entire community’s rights encourage others to fight for their own.
