A new pedestrian zone will be created in the Kladno-Kročehlavy housing estate

Kladno - In Kladno-Kročehlavy, a new pedestrian zone will be created, which should become a natural center of the largest Kladno housing estate. The total costs of the project, which also includes planting greenery and building new children's and sports playgrounds, amount to 126 million crowns. Most of the funds were obtained by the city from the European Union, said the mayor's deputy Vojtěch Munzar (ODS) during today's ceremonial laying of the foundation stone.
    The modification of public spaces around the so-called Václavák is the first phase of the revitalization of the housing estate, with total costs estimated at 300 million crowns. A significant part of the program also includes the revitalization of apartment buildings. Owners' associations or housing cooperatives can obtain funds for insulation, window replacement, facade repairs, or elevator reconstruction. A total of about 130 million has been earmarked for residential buildings, with subsidies already approved for modifications of approximately 1600 apartments. In addition, this year will see a large-scale reconstruction of the Meta building, which is home to people with disabilities. It primarily involves insulating the facade and replacing windows to reduce heating costs.
    The modification of public spaces around Václavák should be completed by the autumn of next year. The new council will decide on further continuation of the reconstruction, and it will be important whether the city can once again access European funds. "It will depend on how the new government negotiates grant programs in the new programming period," Munzar added.
    The Kročehlavy housing estate was developed in the 1950s, and the city hall does not wish it to become a residence for low-income groups. According to its vision, it should rather become a sought-after location. However, according to Munzar, much more money would need to be raised for a complete revitalization than is currently available to the city. "If we were to make every inch of Kročehlavy new, I would estimate it at three-quarters of a billion to a billion," the deputy stated.
    Even when European funds run out in the future, the revitalization work, according to him, will not just stop. Repairs would continue at the city's expense. "But fortunately already according to the concept we have in the urban study," Munzar noted.
    In the past, the city tried to engage its residents in the debate about the new appearance of the housing estate. For example, it had a questionnaire survey conducted, which showed that people in Kročehlavy miss a central pedestrian zone. Therefore, the city hall also decided to focus on Václavák in the public space modifications and build a pedestrian zone here.
    Today, city representatives introduced the new design of the housing estate to local residents, offering free sausages and beer to generate more interest. Some people expressed the opinion that the new pedestrian zone would be difficult to maintain and protect from vandals.