The Restoration of Post-Mining Landscapes

BUSINESS The Restoration of Post-Mining Landscapes Ing. Radmila Kuzicová, CEO at Asental Land, took over the real estate portfolio of Asental Group in mid-2016. She had previously been responsible for the real estate fund of qualified investors in CPDP, and worked at Česká spořitelna (Czech Savings Company) managing daughter companies and real estate project financing. Her professional CV also includes journalism and financial news reporting. Her family comes from Vsetín in Wallachia, and nowadays she has homes in Prague and Ostrava. Asental company owns many interesting development estates and brownfields in our region. How do you see the prospects of the post-mining landscapes in business? The land described as “post-mining landscape” is situated among the towns of Karviná, Havířov, and Orlová, and over half of its area is owned by our company. Such huge tracts of land obviously have to be treated as a concept in the sense of sociodemography and urban planning, which is why we were eager to join POHO 2030, the concept of the restoration of post-mining landscape initiated by the Moravian-Silesian Government and related organizations. After four years of continuous efforts, the Barbora industrial zone, which we are preparing (the area of approximately 80ha), has gone through the final necessary urban planning decisions and approval, so we may proceed to the next phase of that project. We are negotiating with a few businesses with a very interesting focus on contracting the premises in the František industrial zone (approx. 50ha). Smaller investors have already started project preparatory work to build their own production and logistic premises in the Dukla industrial zone. In the next mid-term, we would consider a truly significant success in the implementation of renewable energy resourcing in the estates which (despite remodeling in progress) will not be used for a few decades as building lots, and are not suitable for agriculture or forestry. One of the most attractive locations is the area of Jindřich in the very centre of Ostrava. When can we expect its revitalization? The restoration of the former Hotel Jindřich has been disputed for a decade, and it sure is a significant issue. This summer, having optimized the previous development project, we were granted the construction permit, and have a better idea when the project will actually be performed. The plan is to turn Jindřich into a highquality multifunctional office block with retail points on the ground floor, and a separate residential extension with thirty-six rental flats. However, the construction itself will start when negotiations with the major contractor of the office section are finished. Jindřich is not the only office block in our portfolio which we are preparing: we are developing plans for Přívoz Office, a building with a capacity of about 20,000m2 of office area, next to the Arena Moravia Outlet. Ostrava lacks residential flats, while you have the lots. Are you planning the construction of residential blocks? Yes, we know that Ostrava lacks good quality modern homes, especially in the centre. We intend to build residential homes in the direction of Poruba and other calm parts of the city, near the natural green spaces. For example, there is the Hájenka (Lodge) housing project near the Ostrava Zoo, whose construction will begin in early 2020. We are planning higher-end housing estates in the unique isolated microlocation Hradní (at the Castle) right on the hill of the Silesian Ostrava Castle, with fantastic views of the city. We are also developing projects for a few more locations to build houses and also considering construction of homes for seniors. What is your personal relation to Ostrava like? I have lived here for three years which is not too long, and most of my relationships are based on my professional routine. I am very happy to develop projects which will sooner or later mark the shape of Ostrava. I guess it is my intuition to live and work with people of similar interests. I have met many people enthusiastic about Ostrava and the region who stayed or travelled elsewhere and are happy to be back. With these people I see the greatest efforts to get things moving. Thank you for the interview. - editorial - Text: redakce Foto: archiv Asental Land, s.r.o. Heřmanice Přívoz Office www.asental.eu POSITIV 3/2019 ǀ 59