REGION

Terasy u Sýkorova mostu, Foto: Jiří Zerzoň

Ostrava is Greener and More Beautiful

Mgr. Kateřina Šebestová has been the Deputy Mayor of Ostrava since 2014. Her department

covers the environment and IT. We talked not only about the transformation of the waterfront

in the city centre but also about new parks and landscaping. Ostrava is simply greener and more

beautiful than ever before.

Ostrava is finally showing some of its natural beauty

and people say that it is thanks to so-called ‘green

projects’, however, that is a very broad term. Could

you tell us what is meant by ‘green project’?

It is my personal way of labelling projects that I have been

working on for the past couple years. What they all have

in common is their focus on changing and revitalising

the overlooked areas of Ostrava—whether it’s a park or

a public square that needs to be renewed in order to

improve the living environment of local citizens.

The city is clearly investing in these project

For example, the long overlooked area behind

the bishopric in the city centre underwent great change.

Instead of remaining a run-down area, it has been turned

into a beautiful park, a unique space, one that we have

not seen before in Ostrava. It will be particularly eyecatching in spring when the trees sprout leaves and the

orchard is filled with ripe apples. It was dubbed the Parish

Garden. If you visit the Ostrava city centre today and you

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walk past the church of St. Wenceslas, definitely take the

time to visit the Parish Garden—perhaps have a picnic

on the wooden terrace or simply relax in the shade. That

place really has a sort of magic to it.

The Parish Garden is truly unique. People are also

excited about the new terraces by the Ostravice River.

Yes, that is something that gives me great joy. We have

been working on the transformation of the Ostravice

waterfront for multiple years now. We first modified

a large portion of the right bank of the waterfront, from

the shipyard to Sýkorův bridge. We then planted some

new greenery, installed benches and special sun-beds,

picnic tables and an outdoor gym by the shipyard. Even

the historical Shooting Bridge pillar received a muchneeded renovation. The terraces you mentioned were

constructed under the Miloš Sýkora monument. Once

again, they are something new for Ostrava. They

attract people to sit down and relax. It is pleasant to

see them being used and enjoyed.