Mayor of Plzeň: The Greens in the square should be addressed by the new councilors

Plzeň - More than 11,000 residents of Plzeň, or 97 percent of those voting in a survey, want trees in the central Gothic Republic Square. The square lacks greenery; there are only nine trees in large pots and flowers in tiered bowls near the cathedral. The mayor of Plzeň, Pavel Šindelář (ODS), stated today at a council meeting that while the survey result is not binding for the future council and city council, it is important to address it. According to conservationists and the mayor, a professional debate will be necessary.

"In general, greenery in the city is desired by our residents, and we have been discussing trees in the square for a long time. In 2016, we were racing around the square with shopping carts that had trees planted in them. That was amusing. But today, you can see that trees in the square can be, they improve the situation," said the mayor. Trees in pots on bare paved surfaces are, in his view, only a temporary solution. For greenery to be planted there, a reconstruction of the area would be necessary so that the trees could have secure irrigation and be protected.

The survey, in which over 11,800 people voted over 20 days, was organized by the Plzeň Sobě Foundation. They have now installed five larger trees in wooden-clad rectangular containers in the midst of the city heritage reserve, and four large pots were placed there with the help of sponsors two years ago. Another eight pots with rhododendrons were placed on the nearby boulevard on Bedřich Smetana Street, and eight maples were installed in Riegrova Street a year ago.

According to the mayor and the head of city conservationists, Karel Zoch, it will be necessary to open a professional discussion on the topic. Republic Square, founded in the late Middle Ages, is considered a specific space and is highly valuable from an urban planning standpoint. "The introduction of greenery in containers into the streets of the historical core is unfortunately still being carried out amateurishly. While the trees in Riegrova Street refreshed the area, the subsequent installation of containers in Smetanova Street damaged what was previously a pleasant space due to inappropriate scale. Why is this happening without a professional discussion with conservationists, city architects, without respect for the centuries-old qualities of the central Plzeň space, and without a quality, thoughtful design?" said Plzeň architect Marek Marovič. According to him, greenery in the historical core is fortunately mobile and can be used in more suitable places.

Hot summer days and heated pavement, according to Marovič, raise legitimate and important questions about improving the city's environment. "The spirit of the place is so strong that during certain parts of the year, the square can certainly bear being empty. However, this does not mean that seasonal greenery could not be installed in the square. Its scale and duration of exposure should, however, stem from quality designs selected in a public architectural competition," he said.

The square, measuring 193 by 139 meters, is one of the largest in Europe and the largest medieval square outside of Prague in the Czech Republic.