Instead of a city architect, Liberec has a five-member council of architects

Liberec - As of today, Liberec has a five-member council of architects instead of a city architect. Among others, architect Radim Kousal will serve on it, who is credited in Liberec as the author of such buildings as the regional scientific library and the Forum shopping center. Eight architects applied for the competition, and four were selected. The team was joined by Petr Kincl, who is the head of the city's department of urbanism and architecture, said the spokesperson for the magistrate, Jan Král.
The establishment of a city architect was pursued by the dismissed mayor Jan Korytář (Change for Liberec). "However, the advisory group of experts is more effective than one designated city architect, personal ties are eliminated, and thus possible favoritism as well," said Jiří Rutkovský (Union for Sport and Health), the deputy mayor. According to him, the perspective of the college additionally provides a better chance that tasks and any disputed matters will be assessed as best as possible.
The team will also include architects Petr Bouřil, Jiří Buček, and Jan Duda. "They should meet roughly twice a month, and will receive 1000 crowns per month, just like members of commissions and committees, but this must first be approved by the city council," Rutkovský added. The council of architects will be an advisory body to the city leadership and the newly established department of the chief architect. Its opinion should carry significant professional weight, especially during zoning proceedings when decisions about buildings are made.
Liberec has a new department as of January 1, taking over the tasks of the previous department of strategy and spatial planning. It is responsible not only for spatial planning, but also includes the department of urbanism and architecture. "The city's interest is to create a truly knowledgeable partner in matters of zoning, project assessment, and similar issues," said department head Petr Kolomazník. According to him, the council of architects should have a strong enough position for the building authority to take its opinion into account during the proceedings.