The petition against high-rise buildings in Olomouc has been signed by over 800 people

Olomouc - The civic association "For Beautiful Olomouc" today submitted a petition against high-rise buildings in the city to the Olomouc Mayor Martin Novotný (ODS) with approximately 800 signatures. According to the signatories, including architects, heritage conservationists, and architectural historians, these buildings spoil the city. They demand that the upcoming draft of the zoning plan does not permit the construction of additional high-rise buildings. Novotný did not rule out that, due to objections from the Ministry of Culture, no more skyscrapers may be included in the document. He stated this to ČTK today.
The petition calls for changes to those sections of the zoning plan that allow for a new high-rise building in the Šantovka area, i.e., on the border of the city’s heritage preservation zone. They also reject any potential further high-rise buildings.
"We are deeply convinced that high-rise buildings irreparably damage the silhouette of our city, as evidenced by the existing tower structures on Kosmonautů Avenue and Jeremenkova Street. The panorama of the historical city is a public value that deserves special care and protection," said Rostislav Švácha, a member of the petition committee and an architectural historian.
"At this moment, I cannot rule out that further high-rise buildings will not be anticipated in the final draft of the zoning plan. Negotiations with the Ministry of Culture are underway," the mayor said at the meeting. He promised that the city leadership would properly discuss the petition.
Representatives of the association came to meet the mayor with paper models of skyscrapers on their heads. They presented Novotný with a model of the proposed high-rise building in the Šantovka area, a book on heritage care in Germany, and a paper cut-out. "As a small child, I cut out quite a lot of historical monuments. I even spent half a year making a paper model of Prague Castle. I don't know if I'll get back into it after all these years," Novotný reacted to the gift.
The city's zoning plan is currently being reviewed by relevant state authorities, including heritage conservationists and the Ministry of Culture. This will be followed by public discussions and subsequent approval. The strategic document, which determines, for example, where residential buildings and roads can be constructed, will cost the city hall 11 million crowns. The current zoning plan has been in effect since 1998.