City Progress Index (city development index) is an important strategic planning tool that should provide no only assessment and analysis of local self-government work, but also some recommendations. As far as analysing such indicators as quality of life, institutional capability or investment attractiveness, local authorities should clearly understand what should be introduced in process management to influence and improve these indicators.

This was stated by Hennadii Zubko, Vice Prime Minister – Minister of Regional Development, Construction, Housing and Communal Services of Ukraine, at the International Mayors Summit.

“City Progress Index, urban development dynamics index, is an innovative methodology for Ukraine proposed to be used in the work of local self-government bodies. On the other hand, MinRegion has now almost accomplished the development of a methodology for regional development assessment based on two key indicators. The first one is the human development index, and the second one is the regional competitiveness index. These are two key indicators used as a central point of the work of local self-government bodies and central body of state power,” said Hennadii Zubko.

According to the Vice Prime Minister, the CPI analysis in the city of Mykolayiv showed that the main threat for this city and other Ukrainian cities is the loss of labour resources, primarily influenced by the quality of life indicator. “It is very important to introduce the human development and life quality index, that is used in all European countries and should become the main indicator, in the city development dynamics index,” he said.

Hennadii Zubko has also emphasised the indicator of trust to local authorities. “This indicator is an evidence that the public is currently improperly involved in the decision-making process on the ground, and this fact is a major threat to local authorities. In addition, we must develop and improve the quality of administrative services’ provision for people. After all, this service is primarily representing the power!” he said.

Besides, today one of the management pressure points is the timely submission of statistical data. “The statistical data over the previous year that we receive in June, practically does not give an opportunity for every manager to react quickly to negative trends. Therefore, the CPI and monitoring system, based on two indices we will implement, will allow to quickly obtain statistical data and react promptly to them,” the official said.

“The experience of elaboration, and most importantly, approbation of the CPI is definitely useful and, of course, is an additional tool to assess regional development,” noted Mr Zubko.