This year, Ostrava will again participate as part of the “Czech Cities & Regions” exhibition, held jointly with Prague and the Moravian-Silesian Region. The city’s presentation will be uniquely attractive, featuring talks by the world-renowned architects Steven Holl and Eva Jiřičná.
Ostrava’s Mayor Jan Dohnal gave more details: “The city has participated in EXPO REAL every year since 2002, with the exception of a two-year gap caused by the recent pandemic. The original concept of individual city presentations has evolved into a more effective format, with cities and regions instead creating joint exhibitions. Ostrava places a strong emphasis on high-quality architecture and ambitious projects, and we are taking coordinated steps to ensure that the city’s future urban development meets excellent standards of quality and functionality. This year’s presentation will be unique thanks to the participation of two renowned architects – Eva Jiřičná and Steven Holl. Both of them are responsible for major new development projects in Ostrava. Steven Holl has designed the new concert hall and the reconstruction of the existing cultural centre, while Eva Jiřičná has been involved in the project to revitalize a high-rise block on Ostrčilova Street.”
Ostrava is currently offering a number of attractive sites for investors. The city has recently invited bids for a large site on Plzeňská Street with an area of 10 000 m². Calls will soon be announced for a site at Opavská Street/Martinovská Street, where an investor will be able to build a hotel and residential blocks, and for Technologická Stree, where the new T6 building will expand the current technology park. The industrial zone in Mošnov offers strategically located sites right next to an international airport, with excellent access to the highway and railway networks; a number of international companies have already based their operations at the zone.
Ostrava has come a long way in recent years, and the city is continuing to prioritize projects located on brownfield sites and vacant lots in central Ostrava. Recent successes include an entirely new quarter in the city centre clustered around the revitalized historic slaughterhouse building, which has been converted into a contemporary art gallery. Work on the Nové Lauby residential complex is also nearing completion, and the new university campus in the central Black Meadow (Černá Louka) district is now open to the public.
One area of key importance for the ongoing transformation of the Moravian-Silesian Region is the former mining landscape around Karviná. This area covers 60 km² between Karviná, Havířov and Orlová, and it bears the scars of long-term coal mining and heavy industrial production – but at the same time it offers huge potential for future development. The POHO2030 programme is currently helping to implement the region’s vision of breathing new life into this landscape and opening it up to people once again. The former mine sites are offering a new impulse for business and economic development. At this year’s EXPO REAL, the Moravian-Silesian Region will present projects for a modern industrial park at Lazy, as well as the Eden Silesia project and the POHO Park Gabriela – both of which will create brand-new infrastructure for education, research and development, leisure, entertainment and relaxation. The region will also present a range of sites owned by local municipalities and private owners.
The Governor of the Moravian-Silesian Region Jan Krkoška gave more details: “Within the Czech Republic and beyond, our region is becoming one of the leading centres for development and innovation. Recent years have brought a constant growth in sectors such as IT, modern engineering, hydrogen technologies, and a range of future-focused areas that are helping the region to drive its transformation forward as well as opening the doors to the creation of attractive new jobs. Local universities and schools are working closely with partners from industry to supply highly qualified graduates to the labour market. Excellent architecture is being built, ambitious projects are being implemented, and our region’s image is undergoing a major change. This dynamic process is immediately visible, and we’re working hard to ensure that potential investors and developers are well aware of the opportunities that our region offers. For example, former coal mining sites hold huge potential for future development, so we’re prioritizing transformation projects at those locations. Other options for large-scale development ventures include new industrial parks and urban districts. At EXPO REAL we will be presenting not only brownfield sites for industrial use, but also greenfields that are ideal for residential or commercial developments.”
Prague – the heart of Europe. The city earned this nickname thanks to its strategic location, and in recent years it has been making great efforts to ensure that its heartbeat is strong and healthy. At EXPO REAL 2023, Prague will be presenting its vision for a healthy, ecologically sustainable city; the key pillars of development in recent years have been the creation of extensive blue-green infrastructure and sustainable transportation.
The capital of the Czech Republic has numerous brownfield sites that are the envy of many a Western European city. This plethora of development areas means that Prague offers huge potential for development, and the city’s efforts in this direction are being coordinated according to a clear concept. Prague is increasingly successful in finding new uses for municipally owned land by reaching mutual agreements with private-sector players. The city’s development plans also include projects to create new urban districts based on the 15-minute city concept, combined with an expanding public transport network and blue-green infrastructure.
Several new tram lines are currently under construction – such as the new lines to Slivenec via Barrandov, or the line to Nové Dvory and Libuš. These new lines are closely coordinated with the plans for a fourth metro line (line D). The projects are closely integrated with each other, and the new tram stops and metro stations will create easy transfer points that will maximize convenience for passengers. Another key aspect of Prague’s urban development planning is the network of city parks. New districts (Rohan City and Palmovka) will be complemented by the newly created Maniny Park. This concept not only expands and enhances the city’s park infrastructure; it also plays an important role in Prague’s flood defence system. Maniny has been conceived as an area of urban wilderness that will act as an effective flood barrier. The new Rohan Island and Libeň Island quarter will cover an area of 56 hectares, setting a clear course for the future development of the entire district.
Prague’s Deputy Mayor with responsibility for territorial and strategic development Petr Hlaváček explained the city’s goals: “As the Deputy Mayor, I have played an active role in the city’s urban development for the past six years, and I am pleased that during that time we have managed to shift the public perception of Prague in the direction of a city that is livable for everybody. We are succeeding in coordinating our plans and reaching broad-based consensus across the entire political spectrum, and thanks to that we are able to plan projects and build new districts based on the concept of the 15-minute city. Transportation projects are not our only focus: a key part of the city’s landscape is the Vltava River, and we are currently preparing a wide range of projects along its banks – new city parks, a water sports park, the new Philharmonic Hall on the embankment, and also a bridge for pedestrians and cyclists.”
Prague is participating in the Czech Cities & Regions stand, where it will be presenting the full range of planned projects via an interactive digital screen. The stand has been designed by the architect Ondřej Chybík, who will also present the latest yearbook of Czech architecture. Among the main projects that visitors will able to view on the touchscreen are Rohan City, Smíchov City, Bubny-Zátory, Nové Dvory, Palmovka, the EUSPA HQ, the Vltava Philharmonic Hall, Florenc 21, Vítězné Náměstí square, the Smíchov railway station, Maniny Park, the Troja valley, the Negrelli viaduct, the Karlín barracks, the Prague Exhibition Centre, Jiřího z Poděbrad square, Wenceslas Square, metro line D, and the Holešovice market.
