Improve Infrastructure & Public Services
1.0 Improve infrastructure & public services
The goal of creating a better place to live and visit encompasses a multifaceted approach that efficiently utilizes nature and manmade resources to support the local economy while ensuring sustainable management. It involves the respectful use of the cultural landscape in collaboration with its owners to preserve and promote the region's rich heritage. Addressing the expected consequences of climate change through evidence-based strategies is also vital, by implementing environmentally and socially responsible practices to minimize the destination's ecological footprint, preserve natural and cultural assets, and promote sustainable tourism development.
Integrating tourism into the socio-cultural environment, respecting traditional architecture and land use, and refurbishing services and leisure-specific infrastructures in a way that preserves authenticity are essential. By recognizing and promoting the distinctive features of Svaneti, its identity can be authentically presented and linked to the tourist program, creating a living, recreational, and economic area where tourism coexists harmoniously with the local population's real lives.
Furthermore, developing innovative mobility solutions and public services is necessary to enhance accessibility and convenience for residents and tourists. This includes enhancing transportation systems, building or upgrading tourism facilities, improving public amenities, and investing in the necessary infrastructure to support tourism growth and accessibility.
Ensuring quality public services for visitors and the local community is vital for the development of a thriving living and natural environment in Svaneti, supporting sustainable tourism. Access to reliable water and energy sources should be guaranteed through visitor service fees. Necessary interventions include stable water supply, sewage disposal, sustainable waste management, electricity and gas supply, communication systems, municipal health services, infrastructure for roads and riverbank protection, stormwater management, street lighting, municipal parks and recreation, urban and land use planning, efficient public transport, visitor infrastructure, air transportation, and monitoring natural hazards.
Given the interconnectedness and viability of these industries in extreme conditions, an integrated approach is essential. Cooperation models involving national, regional, private entities, and individual efforts are crucial. By implementing such an approach, Svaneti can establish a better living and recreational environment that supports economic viability and preserves its natural beauty.
1.1 Urban and Land Use Planning to Preserve Historic Settlements
Preserving and promoting the unique urban architecture of Svaneti is crucial for attracting visitors and serves as a significant unique selling proposition (USP) for the region. The conservation, preservation, and development of the urban environment fall under the purview of urban planning and land-use planning documents, along with their enforcement regulations. According to Georgian regulations, the endorsement and approval of such planning documents lie with the Municipalities. However, the elaboration of these documents requires input from a multidisciplinary group of experts.
Currently, Mestia municipality has obtained such documentation, albeit awaiting full approval from the local council. Nevertheless, the mere existence of this documentation is a positive step towards ensuring the respectful preservation of the urban and architectural heritage, while accommodating the needs of urban development through a balanced compromise.
In contrast, Lentekhi municipality is yet to possess such documentation, making it a top priority to develop it with financial support from the Government of Georgia (MoRDI) or international aid (MDF). Initiating and completing this documentation will be instrumental in safeguarding and enhancing the urban landscape of Lentekhi, reinforcing its appeal to visitors and ensuring sustainable development in the region.
1.2 Tourism Infrastructure Development in Accordance with the Urban Plans and Development Investment
The development of tourism in Svaneti requires investment in specific infrastructure, including ski lifts, energy supply, transportation, hotels, restaurants, entertainment areas, and public spaces. Municipal authorities, local tourism stakeholders, conservation agencies, and educational institutions have limited capacity to meet or regulate these interventions.
To address this, coordination among business investment planners, real estate developers, infrastructure authorities, and local municipality stakeholders is crucial. The organization responsible for destination development should consolidate coordination functions and ensure international best practices for sustainable mountain tourism are followed.
Priorities in Mestia municipality include completing unfinished construction in Seti square, integrating urban development with the historic-ethnographic Museum and Hatsvali ski-lifts' lower station, and improving road connectivity to Tetnuldi ski station.
In Lentekhi municipality, immediate priorities include rehabilitating the historic-ethnographic museum as the visitors' entry point, assessing the feasibility of a new ski area, and revitalizing the Makhashi village as a heritage destination. These efforts, along with the construction of the new Shikhareshi airport, aim to integrate the region into the national tourism network.
1.3 Sustainable and quality energy supply
Ensuring a sustainable energy supply has emerged as a critical issue for Svaneti. The assessment report indicates a conflict between public and private interests as the root cause. The local population, situated along the Enguri river watershed, has been benefiting from free electricity generated by the Enguri Hydro Power Plant (HPP). This government subsidy has been a social benefit to the community, with only larger economic entities such as hotels and ski lifts being charged for electricity. However, small family businesses and most of the population do not pay for their electricity consumption.
Energy consumption in Svaneti fluctuates depending on the population and the number of visitors, often increasing significantly (typically measured in per capita overnights). To improve and stabilize energy consumption and payments, it is necessary to modify the system of energy subsidies. One potential approach is to adopt a model similar to that of Kazbegi municipality, where consumption per capita or per family is subsidized by a fixed amount, while the remaining portion is billed at commercial tariffs.
Recommended activities should focus on several key areas. Firstly, improving the existing energy supply networks for users is essential. Additionally, increasing the use of renewable energy sources by installing medium and small-scale hydroelectric power plants to supply municipal buildings,
residential houses, and private businesses can help enhance sustainability. Implementing a system of subsidizing residential energy use and introducing differentiated tariffs for commercial and non-commercial users are also important measures to consider.
Currently, small-scale hydroelectric power plants in the region have a total capacity of 82.0 MW. However, an open issue that requires attention is conducting a pre-feasibility study to assess the investment costs, maintenance expenses, and economic returns associated with constructing a natural gas supply infrastructure for the region. This study will provide valuable insights into the feasibility and potential benefits of such a project in Svaneti.
1.4 Roads and Regional Connectivity
Internal roads linking the municipal town with small villages and community centers are financed by the municipal budget through specific transfers from the central state budget. Often, these projects are implemented by organizations such as the Municipal Development Fund (MDF) or through direct procurement. Given limited funds, the municipality must prioritize its investment needs, considering both tourism development perspectives and the socio-economic needs of the specific communities.
Prioritization requires coordinated efforts to address tourism development requirements, support the return on public investment in ski lift facilities (including the access road to the Tetnuldi ski hub), improve roads leading to popular valleys and villages (such as Mazeri, Adishi, Nakra), and stimulate investment into hospitality businesses such as guesthouses and small hotels. Additionally, creating new opportunities for socio-economic regeneration in remote valleys by attracting investments along popular trails (such as huts and businesses at trail start/end points) and ensuring rescue capabilities are important considerations.
Internal roads and associated infrastructure play a crucial role in the region's social functionality, the communal economy, and the functioning of tourist infrastructure. Moreover, as many remote sites house water intakes and heads, their accessibility is vital for ensuring a reliable water supply for the municipality.
At the national level, the rehabilitation of the Zugdidi-Jvari-Estia-Lasdil section is a priority for state category roads. Currently, investments are underway to rehabilitate different sections of the central highway, construct new bridges (e.g., Okharkala River) and rehabilitate existing ones (Enguri, Magani, and Shkashgelia), as well as protect riverbanks.
In Mestia municipality, the total length of municipal roads is 832 km, of which 390 km are in good condition and 440 km require rehabilitation. Ensuring reliable road conditions away from the central road is essential for tourism development. Given the challenging accessibility to remote locations during winter and the isolation of settlements from mainstream communications and services, it is crucial to provide reliable and well-equipped municipal services during the winter season and improve the accessibility of remote settlements through internal roads. Expanding access to neighboring tourist regions, such as the road from Ushguli to Tsana, promotes and enhances the tourist area, creating additional opportunities for self-drive tourism.
In Lentekhi municipality, the national importance roads span 102 km, with 58 km paved from Lentekhi to Tsana. Rehabilitation is needed for 44 km, and a total of 28 km of roads connect the central road to villages. Prioritization of specific locations is necessary to identify areas with high tourism potential and concentrate activities around them to attract private sector interest and investment. Feasibility studies are recommended to assess the viability of re-establishing former alpine camps in Zeskho and Ailama, among other possibilities.
1.5 Public Transportation
Public transportation is currently unavailable in the region. Private sector services in both municipalities cater to visitors at a high cost. Practices from European tourism destinations demonstrate that public-private collaboration is crucial for extending tourism operations and benefiting larger areas, especially communities located further from the main destinations. For instance, the success of the Stubai Valley ski destination, located 10-20 km away from the ski lifts, was attributed to well-organized public transport often included in the ski pass. A similar case can be observed between Tetnuldi ski lifts and Mestia. Lentekhi will also benefit from public transport when visitors stay or enjoy trips to small villages along the Tskhenistkali or Lakhamula rivers.
In Mestia, a circular route called Mestia Langer can be arranged for both locals and tourists. Additionally, a small minivan and mid-size bus station can be established, operating regular routes that connect popular destinations such as the airport, Seti, museum, ski lifts, and other villages. At the regional level, during the high tourism season, a main circular transport route can operate, connecting Upper and Lower Svaneti through Mestia, Ushguli, and Lentekhi.
1.6 National and International Access
Preserving and promoting the unique urban architecture of Svaneti is crucial for attracting visitors and serves as a significant unique selling proposition (USP) for the region. The conservation, preservation, and development of the urban environment fall under the purview of urban planning and land-use planning documents, along with their enforcement regulations. According to Georgian regulations, the endorsement and approval of such planning documents lie with the Municipalities. However, the elaboration of these documents requires input from a multidisciplinary group of experts.
Currently, Mestia municipality has obtained such documentation, albeit awaiting full approval from the local council. Nevertheless, the mere existence of this documentation is a positive step towards ensuring the respectful preservation of the urban and architectural heritage, while accommodating the needs of urban development through a balanced compromise.
In contrast, Lentekhi municipality is yet to possess such documentation, making it a top priority to develop it with financial support from the Government of Georgia (MoRDI) or international aid (MDF). Initiating and completing this documentation will be instrumental in safeguarding and enhancing the urban landscape of Lentekhi, reinforcing its appeal to visitors and ensuring sustainable development in the region.
1.7 Water Supply and Wastewater
According to the assessment, only Mestia town has a proper and well-treated water supply system, while wastewater discharge is untreated. Other destinations and villages rely on gravity-fed spring water systems without proper treatment. This issue needs urgent attention, especially in locations with high tourist concentration, such as Ushguli village, ski lift hubs, and upcoming areas. To prevent or mitigate risks, targeted investments using public funds should be allocated. This can be facilitated through the national-level state company UWSUC or at the municipal level through MDF, which has experience in utilizing international aid funds for the benefit of the municipality. These issues are equally important for Mestia and Lentekhi towns and resort areas.
Approximately 20% of Mestia households and private users do not have 24-hour water supply due to insufficient flow, and water quality is significantly affected by weather conditions and soil pollution. Therefore, upgrading the water supply system in Mestia is an urgent priority. Under an ADB-funded project, UWSCG signed a contract in 2019 with an international contractor for the construction of the Mestia wastewater treatment plant. However, negotiations are currently underway to change the contract due to objective circumstances encountered during implementation.
Most communities in Svaneti rely on artisanal water supply systems with spring water intakes, except for Ushguli, where a capital water supply system is partially implemented and needs completion. The municipality has initiated the design and construction of water supply systems in individual villages with the assistance of professional engineers to improve drinking water quality and its stability.
Apart from Mestia, only the village of Pari, with up to 40 households, has a septic-type wastewater treatment unit. Larger villages along the central highway with significant tourism potential, such as Ushguli, Kala, Adishi (under construction), Mulakhi, Ipari, Tsvirmi, Lenjeri, Latali, Becho, Eceri, Lakhashula, Nakra, Chuberi, and Khaishi, require urgent wastewater treatment solutions.
Lentekhi Municipality has been investing in the sector through State Procurement Agency electronic tenders, including rehabilitation and new construction of 19 rural water supply systems and the preparation of design documentation for wastewater treatment. UWSCG has initiated state procurement for the design and construction of the water supply system optimization in Tsageri town, Lower Tsageri village, and Lentekhi. This includes the construction of additional water intakes and main pipelines to ensure 24-hour water supply, which is currently unreliable and subject to seasonal fluctuations. Similar to Mestia, Lentekhi Township has a wastewater network without treatment facilities, directly discharging into the river. Upgrading this system is a critical priority. Villages along the central highway with good tourism potential require urgent wastewater treatment solutions, such as Sasashi, Luji, Leusheri, Tekali, Mami, Chvelier, Durashi, Babali, Khopuri, Kvedreshi, Rtskhmeluri, Kheledi, Tvibi, Jakhunderi, Lemzagori, Chikhareshi, Mele, and Shkedi.
1.8 Solid Waste Management
Currently, Mestia and Lentekhi municipalities lack proper solid waste landfills. The state company Solid Waste Management collaborates with municipal services to collect and transport solid waste to distant landfill sites. This approach raises questions regarding its suitability for the regions, considering the long distances and difficult accessibility.
Solid waste management in the area, based on the National Regional Strategy of the sector, is being implemented without the establishment of regional sanitary landfills. Instead, a waste transfer station operated by the Waste Management Company of Georgia is utilized, while waste removal arrangements fall under the responsibility of municipal governments. The main urgent tasks include improving waste removal efficiency from settlements by developing a network of regional and local roads, providing suitable technical equipment for municipal services, and training personnel.
Specific key activities for the region, as required by the Waste Management Code of Georgia, are as follows:
- Gradual implementation and operation of waste collection systems for separate municipal waste collection, along with educational initiatives to encourage the population's transition to proper waste separation.
- Introduction of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR), which mandates that manufacturers design products in an environmentally friendly manner, reducing negative environmental impacts and waste generation during production and use.
- Planned reduction of biodegradable waste disposed of in landfills.
In line with these objectives, the Waste Management Company plans to establish a second waste transfer station in Mestia municipality near the village of Lakhani. Additionally, within the framework of the "Kutaisi Solid Waste Integrated Management Program," a waste transfer station is planned for Tsageri municipality, serving both Lentekhi and Tsageri municipalities. The construction of a third transfer station between Kala and Ipari will significantly reduce transportation distances for villages, thereby increasing the efficiency of the municipal service company and reducing operation and maintenance costs.