Židlochovice

Basic info

Country:

https://www.zidlochovice.cz

Area:

Population:

Density:

Summary:

References:

https://www.adapterraawards.cz/cs/cena-za-krajinu/povodnovy-park-svratka-nad-zidlochovicemi

https://www.adapterraawards.cz/Databaze/2022/Lesopark-Lichy-u-Zidlochovic

https://www.earch.cz/architektura/clanek/nove-komunitni-centrum-dotvari-historicke-jadro-moravskych-zidlochovic

https://ceskacenazaarchitekturu.cz/rocniky/2021/komunitni-centrum-zidlochovice

https://www.earch.cz/revue/clanek/v-jihomoravskem-mestecku-zidlochovice-vznikne-nova-ekologicka-ctvrt-se-zonou-bez-aut

https://www.archiweb.cz/n/domaci/zidlochovice-za-deset-milonu-korun-vybudovaly-predzamecky-park

https://www.archiweb.cz/b/akatova-vez-vyhon

Keywords

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Issues Addressed

Like many other municipalities in the vicinity of large cities, Židlochovice is dealing with pressure on its development areas, reducing the burden of car traffic, and ensuring speedy accessibility to Brno. The main environmental problem that the municipality has been struggling with for a long time is the decline in groundwater levels and the threat of drought as well as river flooding.

Approaches and Solutions

The town of Židlochovice is located near the Moravian metropolis of Brno. Through consistent planning and maintenance of slow, regulated growth, it has been possible to maintain a balanced population structure and a local, neighbourly character. The town is conceptually working on the development of its public space and links to the open countryside. A significant undertaking is the renewal of the train connection to Brno, the construction of a community centre, the Chateau Front Park, a lookout tower and other successful interventions. The long-term cooperation with an architect and landscape architects is reflected in the quality of the public space and buildings in the area.

A serious ecological problem that the town is actively addressing is the decline in groundwater levels, as well as the threat of flooding. As a systemic measure in the landscape, the Forest Park Líchy, with a wetland, groves, orchards and meadows was created on what was originally a large agricultural block. The property was mostly owned by the town and part of it was purchased. A significant initiative has been the construction of a flood park on an area of approximately 13 ha, which was created by adjusting neglected areas and fields along the Svratka River. A dead arm was restored, and a pool and a space for floodplain inundation were created. The park serves to retain water in the landscape, but also for nesting birds and other animals, and for recreation. Within the Czech Republic, this is a unique project of flood control measures and water retention in the agricultural landscape, which combines multiple functions (recreation, maintaining biodiversity, noise control measures, connecting neighbouring municipalities, stabilising groundwater levels, and more).

The town finances the projects partly from its budget, but mainly from grant calls. It continuously works on conceptual development in accordance with the long-term vision. The use of grant calls is therefore always in line with the town’s needs.

Actors and Stakeholders

The town’s leadership, especially Mayor Jan Vitula, plays a significant role. The town’s long-term cooperation with architect Pavel Jura, landscape architect Martin Dratva and, over the years on a number of projects, with a number of other experts is important.

Challenges and Opportunities

Židlochovice is not exactly a small municipality and has the status of a town and is a municipality with extended powers. Nevertheless, they consider communication with state administration and state-administered entities and legislative restrictions to be their biggest problem. The problem in the public space is maintenance, especially in terms of a sufficiently qualified workforce.

Outcomes and Lessons Learnt

The high-quality architecturally designed public and community spaces give the town a new face and contribute to the development of its community life. All interventions are also moderate, corresponding to the character of a small town. In the near future, a new ecological district with limited entry for automobile traffic and a strong effort at community functioning (Chytré Líchy) is planned to be built, the designer of which was selected on the basis of a set of parallel small contracts. It is to be the first project of a modern, ecological and sustainable district in the Czech Republic.

The flood park has survived two floods and passed the test with flying colours. At the same time, it serves to develop biodiversity and local recreation (swimming, winter skating). The project has inspired many mayors from surrounding municipalities and from the entire Czech Republic. In connection with this, extensive continuation of the revitalisation of the floodplain on a longer section of the river all the way to Brno is planned.

Selected major projects and awards

• Svratka River flood park (2024)
• Forest Park Líchy u Židlochovic (2014-2016)
• Renewal of rail connection Židlochovice – Hrušovany u Brna, renovation of an historic train station (2019)
• Community center Židlochovice (2020)
• Competition workshop for a car-free ecological district of Chytré Líchy (2021)
• Chateau Front Park (2019)
• Lookout tower Akátová věž Výhon (2009)
• Science pavilion at an elementary school (2021)
• Initiation of a major intermunicipal project aimed at the ecological restoration of the Svratka River