Karlovy Vary approved interest in UNESCO

Karlovy Vary - The councilors of Karlovy Vary today approved the city's interest in being listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site along with two other towns in the so-called spa triangle, Mariánské Lázně and Františkovy Lázně. However, the decision followed a confusing vote, during which some members of the ruling coalition of ODS, ČSSD, and the Green Party mistakenly expressed their opinions on a completely different proposal.
    The entry of Karlovy Vary in the UNESCO World Heritage list is desired not only by the coalition but also by the opposition. "It is an opportunity to prevent insensitive interventions in architecture," said councilor Jiří Kotek (ODA, SNK ED). During the debate, the opposition proposed the creation of an urban planning committee for the city, which has not been active in Karlovy Vary for some time. Although the proposal did not receive support from the coalition, its members approved it mistakenly thinking they were voting on the UNESCO listing.
    Immediately after that, Deputy Mayor Petr Keřka (ODS) declared the voting confusing and had it repeated. This was unpopular with the opposition, which accused the city leadership of manipulating the vote. According to Kotek, many other resolutions of the council from the past would also have to be considered confusing and invalid. Only after a consultation among representatives of all political clubs in the council was the resolution regarding interest in listing for UNESCO passed on the second attempt.
    Councilor Jaroslav Borka (KSČM) was pleased that the councilors eventually agreed. He clearly supported the effort to list as a UNESCO site. According to him, it can only benefit the development of Karlovy Vary and the other two spa towns. "Everything related to architecture in the spa part of the city would definitely gain some order. There would not be chaotic building and repairs, which we sometimes witness," he noted.
    The possibility of appearing on the UNESCO heritage list is considered a prestigious matter by Mayor Veronika Vlková (ODS). However, it would be somewhat specific, as the three spa towns would not be listed separately, but collectively as a singular entity forming the spa triangle. "This will impose certain requirements for a joint approach and coordination of events in all towns. We do not see any other problems with the listing," Vlková added.
    According to Vlková, a potential listing on the UNESCO heritage list does not represent any unpleasant burden for the city, as it will only be necessary to adhere strictly to the law on the protection of monuments. "But we have to comply with that already now," Vlková said.
    The proposal to list the spa triangle on the prestigious UNESCO World Heritage list was initiated by the Karlovy Vary Region and subsequently gained support from the National Heritage Institute and the Ministry of Culture.