Ústí is applying for a grant from the fund for coal regions for the transformation of the former sugar factory

photo: ŠJů, Wikimedia Commons

Ústí nad Labem – The city of Ústí nad Labem has prepared projects for the transformation of infrastructure in the zoo, the conversion of the former sugar factory, and the use of digital technologies for the Just Transition Fund, which allocates money for coal regions. The embankment of the Elbe near the former sugar factory and the industrial building itself would thus receive a new look. The city informed about the projects on its website. The Just Transition Fund is designated for the Ústí, Karlovy Vary, and Moravian-Silesian regions. The Ústí region could distribute 15.8 billion for projects. The projects will be evaluated in May and June.

The current inadequate infrastructure in the zoo is to be transformed to maximize the use of renewable energy sources, contribute to climate change adaptation, and gain attractiveness for visitors through the introduction of digital technologies.

"The main goal of the project is to achieve carbon neutrality for the zoo through a series of activities, such as the use of SMART parking towers, development of geothermal and solar energy utilization, construction of retention tanks, a pilot energy-efficient pavilion, and an eco-center, support for electromobility, and optimization of waste management," the city stated.

The unused sugar factory by the Elbe in the Vaňov district could become a technology center. Space would be created for entrepreneurs in the cultural and creative sectors, such as artistic and film studios, and provide a background for laboratories or polytechnic workshops related to support technical education, crafts, and entrepreneurship. The project also includes sustainable energy measures and the construction of a footbridge over the Elbe for pedestrians and cyclists.

The third project is the construction of a sufficiently dimensioned and secured data center, with high availability and resilience against service outages. "Furthermore, a functional environment will be created to support digital technologies in the areas of eGovernment, shared information systems, protection of information systems and IT resources, an education system for the implementation and development of knowledge of involved entities in the field of knowledge sharing and collaboration in digital technologies, cybersecurity," the city stated.