The residents of Podolí are concerned about the development of the land near the waterworks

Prague - Prague 4 proposes to change the current playgrounds between the Podolí waterworks and the Sokolovna to residential areas in the new zoning plan. This change would allow for the development of this area. However, local residents do not like this idea. They have written a petition against the city's plan, which they want to present to city officials on Thursday, June 26, at a public discussion on the zoning plan in the Spořilov Cultural Center.
    The city hall argues that the playgrounds are in an unsatisfactory condition and are used only a few times a year. According to Mayor Pavel Horálek, after the construction of an apartment building, the children's playground would be renovated, and another sports area would be created on the remaining playground near the Sokolovna.
    One of the petition's initiators, Jan Slavík, claims that the playgrounds are unsuitable for high-level sports only because the city does not want to spend money on their repair. However, according to Slavík, a nearby primary school located on Nedvěd Square would still be interested in their use.
    According to the mayor, the main reason why Prague 4 is considering development is the lack of funds. "We need to renovate schools, parks, playgrounds, senior homes, build parking garages, and so on. The state does not provide us with that much money. It must be understood that increasing the comfort of living is not free," said Horálek. He previously estimated that the municipality could gain 40 million CZK for the lucrative land in Podolí, which could be used to renovate the Podolí senior home.
    Prague 4 spokesperson Markéta Aulová told ČTK that the municipality does not want to make decisions without considering the residents. "Therefore, we will prepare a study for this area. Only then will it be decided whether to keep the proposal for change or withdraw it," noted Aulová.
    However, the petition initiators do not trust the city hall. "The current leadership supports massive attacks by developers on any areas in Prague 4 that can be built on," Slavík told ČTK. He also pointed out that the fact that the mayor previously worked in the development division of the construction company Skanska adds to this concern.
    Petition signers are also bothered that the city leadership has not sufficiently informed residents about the proposed changes to the zoning plan. The municipality is preparing a public discussion this week, but suggestions for changes to the zoning plan have already been sent to the city hall. Locals want to inform the city leadership at this meeting about the petition, which has already been signed by approximately four hundred residents.