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.