Zlín is preparing a competition for the construction of part of the Jižní Svahy housing estate

Zlín - Zlín is preparing an urban planning and architectural competition for the development of the central part of the Jižní Svahy housing estate. This concerns the streets of Okružní, Středová, and the area of the Central Park. It is a location that was intended for development from the beginning, said the town hall spokesperson Tomáš Melzer today. The council tasked the Office of the Architect of the City of Zlín with preparing the competition.

The housing estate in Jižní Svahy is the largest in the regional city. It is estimated to house about 25,000 people, which is one third of Zlín’s population. The estate was developed gradually in several phases, with the first occurring between 1970 and 1980.

"This is a highly valued and still popular housing estate with a successful urban design, a lot of greenery, and quality residential construction. The second phase, where the area designated for further construction is located, was created a decade later between 1980 and 1990. The original project included services, civic amenities, and sports facilities, and a central square was to be gradually built. We want to build on this intention because these services are still lacking in Jižní Svahy," said Mayor Jiří Korec (ANO).

Since the end of the 1980s, the site housed a so-called torso, a concrete structure that was supposed to serve as a department store but was never completed and fell into disrepair. The city repeatedly tried to purchase it, succeeding in 2014, when it acquired the building and the adjacent land for 53 million crowns. The demolition of the torso began in 2016, and the space was officially opened to the public in 2018. Part of it serves as a parking lot and a space for sports.

Part of the second phase of the housing estate is expected to be supplemented with public and civic amenities. "Together with the adjacent spaces of Central Park and the New Czech project by Koma Modular, conditions will be created for the development of community and cultural life. This will support mutual social ties, increase the offering of leisure activities, diverse services, and also create new job opportunities," said Deputy Mayor Pavel Brada (ANO).

The Office of the Architect of the City has prepared a questionnaire not only for the residents of Jižní Svahy. People can fill it out until the end of May. "The evaluation of the questionnaire will be included among the materials being prepared for the competition. The start of the competition is expected in the middle of this year, and the results of the urban planning and architectural competition should be known by the beginning of 2026," the spokesperson stated.