Minister Šlechtová: The UN-Habitat Conference Opens a New Era for Czech Housing Estates.

Solution to the issue of housing estates and the need of municipal integration. These are the key outcomes of the UN European Habitat conference for the Czech Republic. Its attendance neared 4,000 experts from over 50 countries who held discussions during 96 different official events. The most significant event of global reach to be held this year in Prague has ended today by the approval of the Prague Declaration.

Getting housing estates in the focus of attention

One of the topics addressed by the European Habitat conference was the issue of housing estates and their future. It is one of the issues that Minister Karla Šlechtová perceives as a priority both for the Czech Republic and for the central European region. “We keep talking about new developments and whether they are needed or not, what they should look like and what kind of services they should offer. What is missing though is a debate about the way of changing and developing the existing housing estates. Although a number of different schemes have helped to extend the life of prefabricated houses, it is but a mid-term solution. The estates no more satisfy the needs and requirements of their today’s residents and it has become obvious that serious work has to begin in order to ascertain their decent future,” points out Minister Šlechtová. In her discussions during European Habitat, she exchanged information with officials from other countries on their approach to housing estates. “We have to turn housing estates into a good place to live: providing adequate quality of housing, but also public space for community life, access to services, entertainment, leisure activities and sports. All this will have a direct impact on the safety and other factors affecting the quality of life,” explains Minister Šlechtová.

Specific measures leading to major transformation of housing estates in the Czech Republic should – according to the Minister – also prevent that some of them gradually become excluded zones with social and safety problems. “I see transformation of housing estates as one of the ways for promoting social housing and preventing the occurrence of excluded zones; housing estates provide existing housing capacity that still has a potential and future,” says Minister Šlechtová. She also refers to the conference discussion with some colleagues, among others from Germany where similar projects have been already successfully implemented.

“Thanks to the European Habitat conference, housing estates will be one of my priorities from now on; I hereby appeal for the preparation of a long-term vision and plans to be put in life,” says Minister Šlechtová. “All knowledge about the issue of housing estates must translate into concrete steps that will be actually implemented,” concludes Minister Šlechtová.

Integration of municipalities is a path to prosperity and healthy development of microregions

As confirmed by the UN European Habitat conference, one of the factors that significantly influence development particularly in rural areas of the Czech Republic is a large number of municipalities (6,245) in proportion to the size and population of the country. “The future will certainly want to see a wider integration among municipalities – it is one of the conclusions we came to at European Habitat. This does not necessarily mean extinction or merger of municipalities; but they should immediately commence the process of sharing administration, development plans, transport solutions, and many other areas. This kind of integration will not only bring substantial savings and higher effectiveness of the area development, but also speed up and improve other development activities of microregional impact,” says Minister Karla Šlechtová. Integration would moreover result in a more meaningful drawing of grants and funds from municipal budgets, fostering their broader utilization. “For two neighbouring municipalities it may not be necessary to implement two identical projects just to use up available subsidies. Ministry of Regional Development must endeavour to clearly explain the purpose and aim of municipal integration, and together with local governments systematically contribute to a change in attitude, provide support and consultancy, and be more pro-active in the process,“ states Minister Šlechtová. “Already today there are many best practice examples in the Czech Republic that can serve as models indicating the right direction and motivating other towns and municipalities. We also learned about new examples and approaches in the conference. It is now time to implement them here,” claims Minister Karla Šlechtová.

Selected key ideas that Minister Karla Šlechtová collected in the UN European Habitat conference in Prague

• Cities have to be sustainable, without excluded zones; account must be taken of their residents.
• Development requires a clear strategy tied to a defined vision.
• There is a relevant issue that I feel needs highlighting in the context of the conference: the issue of accessibility in all its aspects: accessibility of housing, public services, travel, and culture.
• Only those with daring visions can turn cities into good places for living.
• Only good housing can make a place good for living; whereas urban housing means not only a “shelter”, but a healthy and safe home.
• I quote Athenian philosopher Thucydides who as early as seven thousand years ago pointed out that “Cities are made of people, not brick walls”.
• I want liveable and functioning cities without excluded zones. I want no derelict and evacuated city centres.
• In the Czech Republic, one of the developmental obstacles is frequently fragmented competences. This is an aspect that has to be addressed and changed.
• Urban planning and design must be centred around living in the cities.
• Our current task is the housing estates and their future, and integration of municipalities followed by developmental activities and more efficient municipal funding.

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