In Brno, a public discussion of the draft zoning plan will begin today

Brno - The proposal for the zoning plan that is set to take effect in 2022 will be publicly discussed for the first time today at the Brno Exhibition Centre. The meeting will begin in Pavilion E at 3:00 PM, with a symbolic parade titled "For Sustainable Brno" taking place an hour earlier. Critics joining the parade mainly accuse the proposal of disrupting gardens or allegedly providing insufficient protection for green spaces. People can ask questions or submit comments directly or by phone during the public discussion. The discussion will take place at the same location again on Tuesday.

The plan was published by the Office of the City Architect of Brno (KAMB) in March, and the public has been able to familiarize themselves with it online or at local municipal offices. Comments can be submitted until June 30. Individuals can submit them personally or through a so-called public representative. Officials are then required to address all comments.

The current zoning plan has been in effect in Brno, with various updates, since 1994, and 2022 is the deadline according to the building law for a new plan to take effect. Developers are very hopeful about it, as they have been saying for several years that the outdated zoning plan hinders faster housing construction.

The zoning plan defines development areas for various types of activities, sets the direction for transport routes, and other infrastructure. One of the major changes is the end of the floor area index. This has historically been a core issue between citizens and developers, who often tried to place the tallest buildings possible in the area. Instead of an index, buildings will be limited by maximum height. According to the Office of the City Architect of Brno, the new plan will be more flexible, reducing the need for frequent changes. This perceived advantage is viewed by some as a disadvantage, as they believe it will allow constructions that a stricter plan would prohibit.

Many people are opposing the proposal, demanding a significant correction in favor of green spaces in inner blocks and gardens. Dozens of academics have written an open letter to representatives, urging them to advocate for significantly greater protection of gardens, which provide a more bearable environment than street spaces especially during the summer but also play an undeniable role in food self-sufficiency in Western Europe. Academics believe that more than 50 percent of gardens are threatened by the proposed zoning plan.

Dozens of people have publicly shared their partial comments on the zoning plan.