Ander wants to create the position of chief architect in Brno

Brno - Martin Ander from the Green Party, who is set to become the Deputy Mayor for Urban Planning and the Environment in Brno, considers the establishment of the position of Chief Architect as one of the main tasks. Brno has not had one for over ten years. Ander also plans to revise this year's approved Brno update of the land use plan. He intends to improve the environment, for instance, by promoting travel with public transport, he told ČTK today.
    The coalition in Brno was formed by the winning ANO movement along with the Žít Brno movement, KDU-ČSL, and the Greens. Petr Vokřál (ANO) is expected to become the mayor, while his deputies are to be Klára Liptáková (KDU-ČSL), Richard Mrázek (ANO), Matěj Hollan (Žít Brno), and Ander. The currently ruling ČSSD, ODS, as well as KSČM and TOP 09 will move to opposition.
    Ander has previously served as a deputy responsible for urban development and the environment from 2006 to 2010. "I was unable to complete the projects for establishing a Chief Architect and some other issues that I want to address," he said. According to him, the Chief Architect with a professional team is important. "He must become a professional authority that will speak with Brno residents about development issues and advise the politicians in city leadership on how to steer development to make life better for people in Brno," Ander explained. The position of architect in Brno existed, but was abolished by the city leadership led by ODS eleven years ago.
    "Following the example of major European cities, I want Brno to have its own strategy for the development of public spaces. It is a manual on how to proceed with the reconstruction of streets, squares, and even riverbanks, so that they become pleasant places for people to stay," he added. He stated that he will work on all urban planning aspects of the reconstruction variant of the Brno railway station in the city center. "I want this variant to be professionally evaluated fairly so that people can make an informed decision in a referendum," he said.
    He claims he will also pay attention to this year's approved update of the Brno land use plan. "We will prepare its revision aimed at correcting the mistakes made by the outgoing city leadership," Ander said.
    He also wants to advocate for a reduction in the cost of long-term public transport tickets and increase safety for cyclists on the streets. "We plan to implement a system of park-and-ride facilities or to establish a zone with restricted access for cars that do not meet particulate emission standards. We will prepare a new energy concept for the city. With the help of modern technologies, it is possible to save a lot of energy in residential and administrative buildings. This can save money and significantly reduce polluting emissions," Ander noted. In addition, he is considering changing the waste fee system. "All residents of Brno, including those who do not have permanent residence here but effectively live here, should fairly contribute to the payment. This could reduce the fee per citizen. We will also introduce incentive mechanisms for waste sorting," he said.