Rehabilitation of Historical District of Dusheti Initialed

March 23, 2019

Maya Tskitishvili, Vice-Premier, Minister of Regional Development and Infrastructure of Georgia together with Shalva Kereselidze, Authorized Representative of the State in Mtskheta-Mtianeti and Giorgi Shengelia, Executive Director of the Municipal Development Fund of Georgia visited Dusheti historical district for inspection of ongoing rehabilitation works.

 
The Municipal Development Fund of the Ministry of Regional Development and Infrastructure of Georgia is implementing Dusheti historical district rehabilitation project backed by the World Bank.  Project cost exceeds GEL 5 million. 
The project envisages rehabilitation of buildings located in the central part of Dusheti, in particular the ones existing in Rustaveli, Erekle II, Chavchavadze, Kostava, St. Nino, Shamanauri streets and central park adjoining buildings and structures.   There are some distinguished samples of urban architecture, which were assigned cultural heritage status, constructed at the close of 19-th century – beginning of 20-th century  accumulated in the named district.   Besides, the project also provides for rehabilitation of two buildings of  special historical value – house of Ilia Chavchavadze and so called Aprelov’s house. Overall, it is planned to rehabilitate/restore 40 buildings, 24 of them with cultural heritage status.  The project aims at restoration of original appearance and disclosure of buildings of historical and architectural value. The project also involves arrangement of road pavement, sidewalks and outdoor lighting in Rustaveli, Erekle II, Chavchavadze, Kostava, St. Nino, Shamanauri streets. 
“Our main task in the first place is to restore original historical appearance of the buildings,  which was  lost during the soviet period  and in such a way to return Dusheti its past image, owing to which it was considered as the regional center.       We and our partner World Bank, which is funding the present project, acknowledge that this  is the very project which may revive Dusheti and similar regional centers    and render them  attractive to tourists.   Consequently, economic activities will be far better encouraged and promoted  and above all, the local population will have an opportunity to  start making their own business, gain revenues, return to their houses and thus contribute to development of their native towns.   And which is of greatest importance to us – to yield irreversible general regional and economic development based upon such significant historical background   ”,- declared Maya Tskitishvili. 
The Municipal Development Fund has already completed rehabilitation of central park in Dusheti.  Fountain and drainage - wastewater systems were rehabilitated, retaining wall was strengthened, footpaths and small squares were arranged   under the project. The project also envisaged exterior finishing works for the St. Nikoloz church located in the park area.