The removal of the designer’s supervision from selected construction activities in the new Building Act is an incomprehensible step, according to the Czech Chamber of Architects (ČKA). On the contrary, CKA considers the possibility to complete the developed zoning plans, the limited preservation of the Prague building regulations or the inclusion of surveyors among the selected activities in construction to be positive. Wednesday, the Chamber of Deputies approved a new building law, which is to replace the existing law from 2006 and which is to speed up and simplify construction proceedings.
The Chamber of Deputies approved the law against the original government proposal by transferring all building authorities to the state. They will fall under the Supreme Building Authority and will be organized similarly to, for example, the tax authorities. However, part of the opposition rejects this principle, claiming that it will cripple the construction process. The proposals of the opposition parties ODS, TOP 09, KDU-ČSL, Pirátů and STAN, which insisted that part of the authorities stay with the municipalities and cities, failed.
“Out of a significant number of amendments, the Chamber of Deputies today adopted several constructive interventions as part of four city items, initiated by large cities. On the other hand, it is a completely incomprehensible step that the designer’s supervision has been excluded by politicians from selected activities in construction, although it is required by law for public procurement, “said ČKA chairman Jan Kasl.
According to him, the power of overriding the emerging fragile agreement on the abandonment of spatial planning to municipalities, supported by a guarantee committee headed by MP Martin Kolovratník (YES), proved to be unconceptual.
“Although the digitization of construction law processes is a desired goal, the amendments voted for the third reading of the new building law do not address this issue in depth and in well-thought-out detail,” Kasl added.
According to him, the discussion of the norm in the Senate is a big unknown. If the upper house returns it to the Chamber, 101 votes will be needed to adopt it. Today, 92 deputies voted for the new law, 88 of them were needed. YES deputies, the SPD and three Social Democrats voted for the law. Some Social Democrats voted against the law, as did other MPs. The law resisted a rejection by the Pirates. KSČM deputies refused to support the law. They were annoyed that the proposal, which abolishes the requirement for direct lighting and ventilation in living rooms, had passed.
Now the law will be discussed by the Senate. Its effectiveness is to begin gradually until July 1, 2023, but from January next year, the state will be able to begin recruiting new officials. Minister for Regional Development Klára Dostálová (for YES) has previously said that 5,000 to 6,000 people could be transferred to the state administration from the current building authorities. According to the Ministry of Regional Development, officials will lose up to 40 percent of the agenda.
Source: CTK
