In recent years, Uzhhorod has experienced a significant increase in population. Journalists from “Zakarpatskyi Visnyk” conducted a street survey to find out whether city residents and internally displaced persons consider the regional capital to be overcrowded and what major problems they face on a daily basis.
Infrastructure Can’t Handle the Load
According to many respondents, the biggest challenges in the city are related to transportation and public utilities. Uzhhorod’s streets and narrow roads simply aren’t designed to handle such a volume of traffic.
“Right now, during the summer, it’s still more or less manageable, but when the school year starts and kids are being driven to school in the morning—that becomes a real problem. The roads aren’t designed to handle that much traffic,” says one of the passersby.
Uzhhorod residents also cite the following as major problems:
- Lack of parking spaces: It is becoming increasingly difficult to find an available parking spot in the city center or near residential buildings.
- Shortage of educational institutions: There is a shortage of spots in kindergartens and schools.
- Utility infrastructure: Some residents point out that the city’s utility networks (particularly the sewer and water supply systems) need to be expanded to keep pace with the growing population.
An Alternative to Cars: Bicycles and Infrastructure Development
Some respondents are convinced that the city is not so much overcrowded as it is in need of modern logistics solutions. In particular, they point to the lack of alternative transportation options, such as a well-developed bike-sharing network. According to them, a shift to two-wheeled transportation could significantly reduce traffic congestion, improve the environment, and save time.
Hospitality and Support
Despite all the everyday and transportation challenges, both local residents and displaced persons agree on one thing: Uzhhorod remains a cozy, attractive, and welcoming city.
Many IDPs who have found refuge in Transcarpathia express deep gratitude to the city’s residents for their warmth, help, and understanding during these difficult times. Uzhhorod residents, for their part, emphasize that as hospitable hosts, they must treat the new residents with understanding and support them.
