Litomyšl is addressing, at the suggestion of how to prevent the depopulation of the center

Litomyšl (Svitavy) - A group of intellectuals does not wish for more shopping centers to be built in the outskirts of Litomyšl in the Svitavy region. They fear the depopulation of the historical center, where shops and cultural institutions are currently thriving relatively well. According to them, regulations should be introduced for construction in areas where further investments are allowed by the spatial plan. The public should also have the opportunity to express their opinions on their proposal, and representatives of the city will discuss it as well. This was reported to ČTK by the city spokesperson Michaela Severová.
    The initiator of the letter, gallerist and businessman Martin Kubík, is asking the city not to allow developers to use areas designated for production and storage for the construction of retail centers in the future. The city should rather sell land to investors that bring higher added value and good jobs.
    "I have noted the opinion that the square should be a zone for contemplation with cafes. It is utopia that it will be a pedestrian zone where we will stroll and drink coffee. There are 120 commercial spaces; we likely won't have 120 cafés here," said Kubík.
    The letter was also signed by sculptor Olbram Zoubek, Litomyšl pastor František Beneš, gynecologist Harald Čadílek, pharmacist Norbert Nývlt, director of the Prague Museum Kampa Jiří Lammel, and businessman Hubert Stratílek.
    The city will ultimately evaluate the spatial plan to determine what proportion the construction of shopping centers should have on the outflow of people from the city center. According to the city hall, the square and its vicinity should continue to be a traditional place for commerce, services, and socializing.
    "We want someone to assess the spatial plan to see if it is even possible to build such large-scale objects, i.e., shopping centers, in the surroundings or on the outskirts of Litomyšl and what impact it would have on the city center," stated Mayor Michal Kortyš (ODS).
    At the same time, the public should be involved in the discussion, and the city hall will decide on the format of the debate. The developer of the spatial plan will likely have time to complete the assessment by the end of this year.