The main topic of the 4th KAM meeting was Ústí nad Labem’s new development policy. Several dozen people gathered at the Ústí nad Labem Regional Library to discuss the city’s future with the creators of the new strategy.

To begin, City Architect Barbora Havrlová provided an update on KAM Ústí’s work, covering topics such as new street furniture, the area in front of the Labe department store, upcoming events, the public space manual, and the Dlouhá courtyard.

Next, Jan Havránek, director of AQE Advisors—the firm that drafted the new development policy—took the floor. “We are currently in a time that is absolutely ideal for transforming the city into a modern metropolis. A high-speed rail line is in the works, and the Just Transition Operational Program is underway. This isn’t just another one of many empty strategies; we are truly focusing on priorities and specifically identifying strategic investments and the main drivers of change. There are three of these in particular: the construction of urban housing, the creation of a special economic zone, and the development of an experimental district,” explained Havránek.

He also pointed out that these are long-term projects spanning decades, but without the courage to begin addressing them as soon as possible, it will not be possible to kickstart the city’s transformation, halt the outflow of residents, and attract young people who would live in Ústí permanently.

Tomáš Ctibor, an urban development expert and managing director of 4ct, stated that the creation of Ústí nad Labem’s new zoning plan is not disconnected from the new development policy and welcomed its creation. “It is important to have ambitious, well-thought-out, and clear priorities for the city’s future. Similarly, the city’s maintenance and day-to-day operations should be carefully planned,” Ctibor added, referring to seemingly smaller but equally important projects.

During the discussion with attendees, interest focused on the new zoning plan, affordable urban housing, safety in the city, and population trends. Attendees learned, for example, that the new development policy calls for the construction of three thousand new apartments, and that to reverse the negative demographic trend, it is necessary to attract over 12,000 new residents to Ústí.

The document’s authors received several suggestions on how to rename certain key points to better reflect the local situation and allow residents to identify with them more easily. In return, the creators of the new concept promised to launch a new website where all relevant documents will be available and where progress on the work can be tracked. The public can look forward to further concrete outcomes from the new development policy this fall.

Photo: Jiří Dvořák