REGION

Ostrava Changes Its Public Space Ostrava, the third largest city in the Czech Republic in terms of its population and area, is one of the most attractive targets of investment in the Czech Republic as well as within Central Europe. This is one of the topics we have discussed with the Mayor of Ostrava, Ing. Tomáš Macura, MBA. It has been thirty years since the Velvet Revolution. What is the current economic and social status of Ostrava? In my view, Ostrava is doing very well, prospering. With minimal support from the government at the turn of the century, Ostrava has succeeded in a crucial socialeconomic transformation. When heavy industries closed down, over a hundred thousand job positions disappeared. Ostrava has succeeded mostly thanks to the potential of its tenacious and meticulous inhabitants. Scary two-digit numbers of unemployment have decreased to the present 5%, also thanks to city investments in the industrial zones of Hrabová and Mošnov. The investors operating there alone have so far generated almost 14,000 job positions. We have managed to reduce city debt by nearly half, making Ostrava the city with the smallest debt in the republic. This was achieved through measures aimed at the reduction of non-productive costs, an increase in transparency and improvement of the city’s economy and the operation of its institutions. The increasingly better economy of the city is very important as it allows larger investment in safety and environment, grants to city districts, etc. We are producing financial reserves for major investments planned in future. Even if more finance is needed to perform these plans, as a city we may use loans with favourable loan terms. Ostrava is now considered a highly trustworthy partner, well-known for its smart investments. The city emphasizes the change of public space. International architectural competitions have been announced. What construction projects shall we look forward to in Ostrava? Ostrava has the ambition and all the prerequisites to become a true metropolis with all it entails: from high quality architecture and attractive housing to job opportunities and a proper backdrop for leisure. The street of 28. října in the city centre, and Opavská street in Ostrava-Poruba, will turn to city boulevards; the Ostrava-Jih district will get a good square, badly missed in this part of the city; Republic Square (Náměstí Republiky) also needs a radical revitalization. “Jiří Myron Theatre“ has been renovated, and renovations are taking place in the House of Culture Poklad. The historical building of the former City Slaughterhouse will become a modern art gallery. Ostrava shall also contribute to the financing and organization of the construction of the Moravian-Silesian Scientific Library. Of course, I need to mention the greatest and most significant international architectural competition, regarding the construction of a new concert hall, concluded this June. The winner is the famous American studio Steven Holl Architects teamed up with Architecture Acts from Prague. By the end of 2021, all stages of the planning and design will have finished, and the 54 ǀ POSITIV 3/2019

construction shall begin. The plans say the construction will be completed in 2024, though we sincerely hope and will do our best to compress the work and open the concert hall in December 2023. The construction of a modern concert hall will make Ostrava a significant cultural centre like those metropolises and will proudly stand in line with those cities which already have their cutting-edge concert halls. Those with exclusive architecture and acoustics undoubtedly nudge the development in culture and education in their city, and t also enhance tourism in that area. Even this brief summary proves that Ostrava is going to experience huge architectural changes and urban development as soon as we finish what we have already begun. Ostrava annually invites new investors, local and international, and offers development areas. What are you going to present at Expo Real in Munich this year? Investors will be offered investment opportunities in the very centre of the city as well as in development zones. One of the primary prerequisites of success is to bring life back to the historical centre of Ostrava, which is our priority, together with increasing the number of residents in this location. At the time of the trade fair, the competition for projects of rental homes Nové Lauby, near the central Masaryk Square, will still be running (to finish on Oct. 31st). We have created a dedicated web site, www.pozemky.ostrava.cz, with all the relevant information. Another plan in the historical centre intends to solve vacant lots near Smetana Square at the Antonín Dvořák Theatre, and at the Exhibition Grounds (Výstaviště Černá louka). Primarily we want commercial buildings providing housing, services and retail to be built there. However, there can also be office blocks and facilities providing education, culture, etc. We expect similar functions to fill the vacant lots in the area of Českobratrská Street. Industrial zones represent a different kind of opportunity: Ostrava–Mošnov is a perfect hub connected to dense railway and road infrastructures and an international airport, unique by European standards. Investors can choose lots in fifty-four hectares of city-owned estates. Mr Macura, you have spent the majority of your professional career in private enterprise. What steps in particular is the city taking to enhance the business environment? Enterprise, and conditions for its development, speaks about the quality of life of a society, its economy as well as of our policies and our prospects. No matter if it is from the view of an entrepreneur, an employee, a student or a senior. Enterprise generates values which a society needs so as to look after the good quality of life of its citizens. The city authorities do their best to facilitate the best possible business environment. In close cooperation