Pardubice approved the transformation of Republic Square for 186 million crowns

Pardubice – The Pardubice council today approved the future transformation of the Republic Square in the city center. The estimated cost of the approved investment plan is 186 million crowns. Critics felt that there was too little greenery in the project, and they were also concerned about the traffic solutions.

The project includes a complete revitalization of the central public space, which encompasses the expansion of greenery, the planting of trees, the creation of a fountain, and a complete new paving. It also includes adjustments to the traffic regime, including the cancellation of parking and changes in public transport organization.

Opposition councilor Petr Klimpl (ODS) disagreed with the content of the project. He was troubled that the renovation of the square would remove the lawn near the memorial and other features. "I am bothered by the removal of parking; we do not offer any alternatives to the people who live there. More than half of the people in the public discussion requested the possibility of maintaining barrier-free passage; that will not happen," said Klimpl.

According to the chairman of the ODS regional association, Ondřej Tichý, the project has weak points. "One of them is greenery. Ten trees or planters will not save it," Tichý said. He also believes that the traffic solution is not ideal, as buses will stop in the traffic lane without bus bays. "By narrowing the lanes, we can expect to create another bottleneck in the city. We will anger drivers again," Tichý said.

Vojtěch Jirsa (Pirates) thanked the coalition for taking a comprehensive approach to the project. Originally, the city only wanted to modify the area around the church. After discussions, it expanded the renovation plan to the entire space. "What ODS is doing here is painting bogeymen," Jirsa said regarding the criticism of the traffic solution.

In the square, the city plans to plant 12 trees. In Tylova Alley near the theater, there will be beds stretching 135 meters, and near St. Bartholomew's Church, there will be a bosket with reinforced grass. Deputy Mayor Jan Hrabal (ANO) quoted from a report on the benefits of lawns and trees. One square meter of lawn evaporates four to five liters of water, and a mature tree can retain hundreds of liters of water in 24 hours, significantly improving the microclimate. "As a rule of thumb, 100 square meters of vegetation is equivalent to the benefit of one mature tree," Hrabal stated.

The city has tried to incorporate as much greenery as possible, it was noted. "It is complicated to get greenery in there; it is riddled with networks. It is also the entrance to the historic part; everything is permitted by conservationists," said Deputy Mayor Jiřina Klčová (ANO).

Opposition councilor Martin Slezák (TOP 09) suggested verifying the amount of greenery and proposed an interactive water feature so that people could cool off by it in the summer. Mayor Jan Nadrchal (ANO) stated that it makes sense to examine this proposal. "A water feature could also be thought of behind the theater; there is already a fountain. The project is finished; we have it as a suggestion; the designer could incorporate it," Klčová said.