Four of the country’s cities may become municipalities. An initiative to this effect was proposed for public discussion. According to its authors, if the document is accepted, the 4 cities will attain improved opportunities for development, thus ensuring growth points alternative to Chisinau, reports Info-Prim Neo. The concept was developed by a group formed of local and district councilors from Ungheni. Ungheni Mayor Alexandru Ambros, one of the authors, said that the project is still in the discussion phase. The initial version was already been submitted to the State Chancellery. “When an urban settlement is growing, several rural areas around need to benefit from certain services. The development of urban centers is a very important aspect, because the level of life is directly related to the locality’s development level. The localities within the municipalities range will also benefit”, stated the Ungheni Mayor, one of the 4 cities proposed to become a municipality. The other three are Cahul, Orhei, and Soroca. Alexandru Ambros added that local problems are not solved by each locality in part, but by the city of residence. By problems we mean issues with sanitation, lighting, water providing, sewage, etc. “The idea is that we cannot form quality services on an empty spot, but only where there are traditions, capacities. If we don’t go with it, we will simply degrade”, the Mayor noted. Orhei Deputy Mayor Ghenadie Manole, who is part of the task force, stated that is a very good initiative, which will have a positive impact over Moldova. Once transformed into municipalities, the localities will become more attractive for investors. Businesses will tend to expand over other regions. Everyone benefits: villages will receive better services, district centers will become points of economic growth, and these impulses will be passed on the district level”, said the Deputy Mayor. Cahul Deputy Mayor Iurie Arnaut said that both the city of Cahul as well as the villages surrounding it welcome the idea of transforming the city into a Municipality. “We have many projects, which we would like to implement, for the development of the main water pipe, waste recycling, yet we lack the legislation to provide these services. The status of Municipality would solve a great many problems”, stated the Deputy Mayor. Iurie Arnaut said that Cahul will appoint a task force that will propose improvements to the concept. Soroca already has such a task force, said City Mayor Elena Bondarenco. “This concept is good, since it supports the idea of expanding the authority of 1st level local public administration, and ensures local financial autonomy”, said Bondarenco. The concept of turning several district main cities in municipalities has 4 chapters: “Urban development: problems, trends, approaches”, “The analysis of legal and economic-financial aspects”, “Concept: objectives, stages, activities”, and “Implementing the concept”. Moldova currently has 5 municipalities: Chisinau, Balti, Comrat, Tiraspol and Tighina.