Cheb announced an architectural competition for the barracks and Špitálský vrch

Cheb - Cheb today announced an urban-architectural competition for the use of the barracks at Zlatý vrch and the land at Špitálský vrch. It aims to gather ideas for the use of hundreds of hectares of land in one of the largest development areas of the city, potentially for decades to come, said Mayor Pavel Vanoušek to reporters today.
     The barracks at Zlatý vrch were acquired by the city more than ten years ago, but with a block on their non-commercial use. However, this could not be resolved. Last year, the block ended, and only now can the city offer the barracks, which form the entrance gateway to Špitálský vrch, for use.
     According to Deputy Mayor Tomáš Linda (ODS), the proposals resulting from the competition should include not only the barracks but also land for future construction. "Cheb has always grown in circles in the past. However, this southwestern part of the city is currently unused, and its development would once again unify the city. Moreover, it would prevent the depopulation of the center at the expense of peripheral areas," said Linda.
     In a two-round competition, Cheb wants to first select four best urban designs, which would then be elaborated into an architectural development study in the second round. Although it would not be binding for the city, it could provide a concrete proposal for, for example, seeking investors. The zoning plan, meanwhile, primarily anticipates residential or mixed-use development. This is also because Špitálský vrch faces south and is close to the recreational areas of the city.
     The study of the area, which is the size of one-fifth of present-day Cheb, should be completed by the end of this year. After that, the city intends to present it to the public. According to Linda, it should provide a direction for development for the next 15 years and more.