In Ostrava, there will be a studio for spatial planning and architecture

Ostrava - Ostrava will have a City Studio of Spatial Planning and Architecture (MAPPA). It is meant to help develop quality architecture and urbanism in the city. City representatives decided on this at today's meeting. The city will now look for a director of the contribution organization, which is expected to start its activities in the summer. However, the opposition did not support the proposal. They pointed out that it is not sufficiently prepared and has not been discussed within a broader political spectrum. Opposition representatives simultaneously pointed out that they are not fundamentally against the establishment of this institution.

The Ostrava studio is supposed to be similar to institutions that function not only outside the borders of the Czech Republic, for example in Vienna or Helsinki, but also in some large Czech cities - Brno, Prague, or Karlovy Vary. The studio will build on the activities of some departments of the magistrate, primarily the Office of the Chief Architect and Strategic Development. The organization will be responsible for the cultivation of public spaces and greenery, and will also prepare professional materials in architecture, urbanism, and city development, as well as organize architectural and urban planning competitions. It should also collaborate with universities, experts, and the public who should be involved in planning and decision-making in city creation.

According to Mayor Tomáš Macura (ANO), professional discussion on the establishment of a new city institution has been ongoing for several years. "Its absence is considered a significant shortcoming in terms of the concept of city development. We want Ostrava to be a modern metropolis, a city with quality architecture, urbanism, and public space," said Macura.

Opposition representative Martin Juroška (KSČM) criticized that the proposal for the establishment of the studio is not supported by a more thorough analysis which would address the exact competencies and duties of the studio. Some representatives pointed out that the proposal was prepared hastily. Opposition representative Lukáš Semerák (Ostravak) pointed out that the proposal had not been discussed in a broader political plenary. According to him, it would be appropriate for it to gain broad political support. There was also a proposal to withdraw the material from the discussion of the council or to recommend its approval in the form of a draft and its further discussion. "Principally, I am for it, but not hastily and more systematically," said Semerák. However, the coalition's votes eventually managed to approve the proposal.

The organization will be established on July 1st, and its operations are expected to fully start in the following year. This year's budget for the institution will be ten million crowns, and in the next year it will be 20 million crowns.

The new organization will be led by a director - the city architect of Ostrava. The city will announce a selection procedure for this position in March. The office is expected to consist of a team of around fifteen members, who will be experts in architecture, landscape architecture, urbanism, traffic engineering, data analysis, and similar fields.