The Olomouc City Hall has established the position of city architect

Olomouc - The Olomouc City Hall has established the position of a city architect, who will oversee the architectural and urban quality of investment projects within the city and will communicate with investors and the professional public. A selection procedure will be announced for filling the position of the city architect, said Jan Holpuch (ODS), the deputy mayor, to reporters today.
    "Our city needs quality architects who are recognized authorities in the field. They must be able to communicate with the professional public, journalists, potential investors, and be able to explain the city’s positions and lead discussions," Holpuch justified the establishment of the new position.
    The city architect will participate in, for example, the preparation of the tender conditions for city investment projects or monitor and comment on urban and architectural activities in the area of Olomouc.
    "The city architect should also be a mediator in discussions between the city’s self-governing bodies and the professional public and perform other activities, such as preparing spatial studies or other strategic materials," stated Marek Černý, head of the City Hall's department of conception and development.
    The council recently announced a selection procedure to fill this new position. "Given its standard duration, it can be expected that the results will be decided only after the elections," Holpuch added.
    Some architects recently criticized the City Hall for having filled the position of the head of the department of conception and development, which has so far replaced the function of the main architect, with people lacking appropriate professional qualifications for years.
    "The City Hall is failing in its basic functions. It has been developing a land-use plan with fundamental errors for years and is still unable to approve it. Almost no transport constructions are being realized, and new development is not being directed in a way that would be beneficial to the city," warned the Olomouc Architects Club (KAO).
    Dissatisfied architects reminded of the planned construction of the Šantovka Tower high-rise building in the protective zone of the city heritage reserve and the selection of new lamps for the central square. According to KAO, the council members themselves selected the lamps. KAO is a free association of architects, urban planners, and related professionals connected with Olomouc. Some of its members will run in the local elections with a new movement called ProOlomouc.