Citizens against Šantovka Tower: The Olomouc Call

For about two years, the "STW case" has been dragging on, as the plan by SMC Development (with Richard Morávek on the board) has been accompanied since the very beginning by protests from both experts and the general public. They oppose the planned construction of a residential building with 22 floors (78m) in the legally designated protective zone of the Olomouc City Heritage Reserve.

There is talk concerning the illegality of the executive component of heritage protection, the privatization of the skyline at the expense of public interest protection, and possible failures of state administration. In the eyes of supporters, the residential tower represents the development of the city, a symbol of its dreamed prosperity. In the eyes of opponents, it becomes a caricature of such development, similar to what the previous two "skyscrapers," which stand outside the protective zone of the heritage reserve, have achieved.

The most well-known tourist guide, Lonely Planet, recently labeled Olomouc as the most beautiful city in the Czech Republic. According to them, this "hidden gem of Europe" has "architectural charm without great chaos." Does a tourist—sent here preferentially by a prestigious guide—want a glass tower to form a backdrop to the unique atmosphere of the compact historical core, evoking rather the practices of predatory developers of Eastern European ilk? This could easily happen, as the tower could significantly assert itself visually from the very center of Olomouc, from the Lower Square.

The investor has not yet initiated the zoning procedure regarding the construction, but they have already overcome one significant obstacle. To the great indignation of experts in architecture and heritage care, they received the green light from the city heritage protectors. The legitimacy of their stance will now be examined by the Regional Office.

The expert public and citizens are not passively observing. Recently, a conclusion from the Scientific Council of the General Director of the National Heritage Institute was published. Twenty members expressed their unanimous negative stance on the plan. After two past petition activities (900 and 700 signatures) and a public gathering attended by over 400 people on October 22, 2013, representatives of the initiative Citizens Against ŠantovkaTower came forward with the so-called Olomouc Challenge.

The simple, concentrated title corresponds to the seriousness of its content. Behind the specific demands in the STW case lies an appeal from the public to elected representatives, who should prioritize defending their interests in such fundamental matters. The private residential building project has no participation from the city. It should arise in an area that could provide space for a complete urban district in accordance with current trends in urbanism and with regard to the valuable historical fabric of the city in its immediate vicinity. The investor plans to sell views of the unique historical panorama, which they themselves are damaging. The city receives nothing in return.

Martina Mertová

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