A recent study has revealed that fire trucks are unable to access 10 percent of the streets and public areas in Ulaanbaatar’s ger districts. This finding was highlighted in a report on the vulnerable conditions of roads, streets, and open spaces in Ulaanbaatar’s ger areas. The study was conducted jointly by researchers and scientists from the Science and Technology Council of the National Emergency Management Agency and the National Disaster Research Institute.
According to the report, over 180,000 families reside in Ulaanbaatar’s ger districts, which occupy 232.06 square kilometers of the capital city’s total area. However, more than 20 square kilometers—10 percent of these districts—are inaccessible to specialized fire trucks due to blocked or closed roads, insufficient turning radii, and other obstacles. The study also pointed out inadequate street addressing and areas prone to flooding in these neighborhoods.
The research covered six districts of Ulaanbaatar, analyzing inaccessible roads and dead-end streets, as well as identifying households at risk of flooding, those located in flood-prone areas, and residences built beneath high-voltage power lines. For instance, in Bayangol District, there are 27 inaccessible dead-end streets in the ninth khoroo, 33 in the 11th khoroo, and 13 in the 16th khoroo. Similarly, in Songinokhairkhan District, 18 streets in the ninth khoroo and 35 in the 10th khoroo fail to meet standard accessibility requirements. Researchers identified 396 locations where roads have been narrowed, blocked by fences, or built on elevated terrain, making them inaccessible for fire trucks.
The study emphasized the urgent need to enforce road width and turning radius standards. It concluded that these accessibility issues are not insurmountable and must be rectified to prevent further risks. Additionally, the researchers recommended drafting new standards for vehicle parking near residential and commercial buildings to ensure fire truck accessibility.
The report also suggested implementing stricter measures to hold parties accountable for fire-related damages caused by obstructed fire truck access. These include imposing penalties on drivers of vehicles blocking fire truck routes and holding officials accountable under the Disaster Protection Law for failing to take preventive measures against such risks.
