REGION
This year, we finished renovations of the left bank of
the waterfront as well, that is, the area from the Castle
Bridge to the Regional Court building. Our goal was
to safely separate the sidewalk for pedestrians and
cyclists. We also remembered to include new trees
and flower beds. What we received the most positive
feedback on was the new public square in front of
Dock. We extended the area to hang above the river
with a glass gallery and added modern benches.
“
Anyone who has an interesting idea
and wants to implement it
can get a subsidy.
”
I know that other places in Ostrava have undergone
or will soon undergo a transformation.
Yes, I will quickly mention the new park in Svinov,
the successful revitalization of Smetanův Sad in
Mariánské Hory in that regard. Just recently, a new park
was constructed at U Boříka in Nová Ves. The poorlymaintained area behind the polyclinic in Hrabůvka is
also scheduled for renovation, as is the area around
the chateau in Zábřeh. The full list is quite extensive.
One very ambitious project worth mentioning,
however, is the Hulváky forest facelift, including
the former aquapark and so-called ‘Venice’. Here, we
are currently working on the project’s documentation.
Ostrava can also be proud of its programme for
the modification of public space, according to
the ideas of the public. Can you bring it closer to us?
The point is that we financially support the ideas of active
people on how to improve or beautify the space where
they live, where they work, where they go to school or
where they just spend time. Anyone who has an interesting
idea and wants to implement it can get a subsidy. During
the existence of our programme, i.e. since 2017, we have
supported forty-five interesting projects from individuals
or associations. A beautiful example is the Hrabovjanka
forest park, which was created thanks to the enthusiasm
of two young ladies. From a sad place full of rubbish and
clutter it is now a beautiful park with a gazebo, benches,
a fireplace and a playground. If we are now interested
in someone reading this article and would like to know
more, they will find everything they need on the website
tvorimeprostor.cz.
The city of Ostrava is now among the country’s
greenest. Seeing public greenery even outside of
parks is a global trend right now.
Yes, having flowers lining roads was not very popular
in Ostrava. We were not afraid to make the first move,
though, and replaced 6,000 square metres of ugly,
neglected strips and areas in junctions with grass beds
and bulbous flowers. They change colours throughout
the year, depending on which species are in bloom
that season. People seem to like them; I often see
people stopping and taking pictures of them. In order
to improve the urban climate, we are also adding
greenery to tram tracks. Green tram rails not only cool
the air in very hot weather but also do not produce dust
and help with noise dampening.
It is possible to ride from one pleasant place to
another on a shared bike. How satisfied are you
with bike sharing?
When we came up with the pilot project of shared
bicycles only for the centre of Ostrava in 2018, we had
no idea that there would be such a huge interest in this
service. We have gradually expanded bike sharing and
today it is working in every city district. Currently, over
55,000 users are registered in the system. I’m really
happy about that.
Ms Šebestová, thank you for the interview.
Text a foto:
statutární město
Ostrava
Farská zahrada, Foto: archiv města Ostravy
POSITIV 2/2022 ǀ 71