Some residents of Pardubice are protesting against the apartment buildings in K Polabinám

Pardubice – Some residents of Pardubice disagree with the planned construction of apartment buildings on K Polabinám Street and have written an electronic petition. They are particularly concerned about the loss of greenery, further densification of construction, increased traffic, and a lack of parking spaces. The city council counters that the land has long been designated for residential use. According to Deputy Mayor Jakub Rychtecký (Žijeme Pardubice), there is a shortage of available apartments in the city.

Residents opposed the plan through a petition. They are especially bothered by the fact that new apartment buildings would be built in close proximity to their homes and would encroach on the existing green space. They point to increased traffic, pressure on parking spaces, noise, shading, and loss of privacy. They demand that the city reevaluate the plan and potentially find another location for residential development.

"We believe that preserving quality public space, greenery, and a safe environment for residents, children attending preschool, and future generations is in the public interest," they stated. The petition currently has around 150 signatures. Pardubice has about 90,000 residents.

The apartments are set to occupy part of a smaller park that lies between the buildings. However, Rychtecký does not consider the current state of the land to be a quality park. "It is long-term construction land owned by the city. It isn’t even a park, it’s simply a fragment, broken pathways, sidewalks, overgrown areas that do not serve the function of a park at all," he told ČTK.

According to him, the location is actually suitable for residential development. "Modern cities not only in the Czech Republic but throughout Europe are expanding into the inner parts of communities because there is infrastructure and everything is nearby," he stated. He reminded that public transport, schools, kindergartens, and a shopping center are available in the area.

A study exists for the area. It accounts for two apartment buildings and approximately 114 apartments. The project, according to Rychtecký, is primarily intended to serve as affordable rental housing. The city also denies that construction would mean the complete elimination of greenery. According to Rychtecký, park improvements, planting new greenery, and relocating some young trees are planned. "The area is only about 40 percent buildable, 60 percent will remain as greenery and public space," he stated.

Similarly, the city argues regarding parking. According to Rychtecký, 80 percent of parking spaces are to be underground. Furthermore, the transportation solution, in his view, does not only consider access from K Polabinám Street. "It is planned that there will be access from another side from the former Prokopka area as part of the ČSOB insurance project, and there will also be new entrances into that area from Palackého Boulevard," the deputy added.

He believes that the current dispute is partly caused by the fact that residents do not have sufficient information about the planned project. He thinks it would be appropriate to meet with the people and present the project to them, which the petition signatories also demand.