REGION OSTRAVA

Flower Meadows, Greenery

and Urban Gems. This Is Poruba.

She has lived in Poruba throughout her life. After graduating from VŠB-TUO, she gained managerial

experience both in private companies focused on providing services and in manufacturing

companies. Prior to deciding to actively pursue municipal policy, she worked as a marketing

manager for a heating company for five years. Mayor of Ostrava-Poruba, Ing. Lucie Baránková

Vilamová, Ph.d., talked to POSITIV Business & Style magazine about upcoming projects in Poruba,

and why it belongs to one of the most attractive places to live in Ostrava.

Poruba is one of the most attractive places in Ostrava.

Why do you think that is?

Simply because it is one of the most beautiful places in

Ostrava. That would probably be enough as an answer, but

of course I will add something. Poruba was very cleverly

urbanized. There are mostly regular courtyards, greenery

and pleasant public spaces. Greenery together with good

air are what inhabitants consider the biggest advantages

to the district. We have quality schools, playgrounds and

all the facilities that make Poruba a city in a city, so to

speak. So we are missing nearly nothing here.

When you mention greenery, there are more flowers in

Poruba every year and it seems to me that they bloom

almost all year round. Is that so?

It is and I am glad that people can appreciate it. In many

places, we have planted strips of daffodils, crocuses,

tulips and other flowers, which always light up the spring

Poruba. But the flowers bloom all year round, not only

on Hlavní třída. This year, for the first time, we planted

a flower meadow on Francouzská Street, which met with

huge success. I can tell you that there will be more such

areas next year.

There is also a busy construction industry in Poruba.

What projects in recent years can the district boast of?

I am glad that new things are being created here.

Recently, I am especially proud of the Harmonie Nursing

Home, which was established on Dělnická Street. It‘s

a building that really worked. We have also completed

a new sports ground at the Josef Valčík primary school;

reconstruction of Gustav Kliment Street; we are also

working on renovating the park on Družba square; and

many other events are underway. I must not forget the

city‘s projects, either. This is crucial for the completion

of the reconstruction of Poklad. We have been waiting

for this for a really long time. We are gradually trying to

change Poruba for the better and I believe that people

also notice these changes.

When you mention Poklad, what does it mean for

Poruba now that it has been reopened?

The face of the house of culture has been missing for

nine long years. I‘m looking forward to the full start of the

program and for people to be able to go to the theater,

to the cinema, to concerts again—but the work does not

end with the opening of Poklad. The city is now building

a parking garage behind it, which is absolutely necessary.

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We will adjust the space in front of Poklad. And most

importantly, we are going to revitalize the parks on both

sides of the culture house.

So far, we‘ve talked about what has already been done,

but what about the future? Do you plan any projects?

Who is prepared is not surprised. And we are ready.

Thanks to the fact that we have a number of projects

in stock, we can pull one out whenever an interesting

financing option appears. Currently, the biggest event

is the reconstruction of Oblouk. This symbol of Poruba

deserves a dignified form. We are also preparing the

revitalization of Zámecký park, which is connected to

Oblouk. So the transformation will go through a really

wider area. We are completing the construction of a new

playground at the Bulharská primary school and the

reconstruction of Jan Neruda Square is also in full swing.

In upcoming years, we want to transform the location at

the roundabout on Hlavní třída and the area of the fifth

district near Koruna. We will also pay more attention to

landscaping, because we know that this is often in a state

of disrepair. And there is much more. Those interested will

find all our projects on the website fajnovaporuba.cz.

Poruba is one of the districts that allow seniors to travel

around Ostrava by taxis at a reasonable price. How did

the Senior Expres Poruba project work for you?

It has proven itself and I am glad that we have agreed

that the surrounding smaller districts and their inhabitants

can also use the service. The number of rides is growing

and at the same time the circle of people interested in

this service is expanding. After all, a substantial part of

the population of Poruba is elderly, for whom senior taxis

significantly help to get around to, for example, the doctor.

And finally, one personal question. Which place in

Poruba do you like the most? Where do you go when

you want to clear your head?

I like Hlavní třída as the central part of Poruba and

everything that belongs to it. However, if I want to clear my

head, I go for a run around Družba square, a community

center in the Pustkovecká valley and along Martinovská

street back. I already have a circuit that I enjoy and is

pleasant. Although I don’t do it as often as I would like to,

it helps me relax a little and detach myself from everyday

stress.

Mrs Mayor, thank you for the interview.