Plicka: Let a two-round competition decide about the Brno train station

Source
Zdeněk Meitner

Publisher
ČTK
15.04.2015 19:40

Brno - Before making a decision about the new location of the train station in Brno, it should first be determined where it is even realistic to build a new viable city around it, said Ivan Plicka, chairman of the Czech Chamber of Architects (ČKA), to journalists today. According to him, a two-stage architectural and urban planning competition should be held for such a colossal project. The chamber organized a discussion of experts and stakeholders on the topic of reconstructing the railway hub in Brno and intends to continue holding these discussions.
    "I can't think of a larger topic in the republic," said Plicka, who believes that since the days when medieval city walls were demolished, there has not been a greater intervention in urban space and infrastructure. Therefore, he thinks that open competitions should be held. The first round should be conceptual and the second project-based. "We want to propose this to the steering committee that the government is to create, and we are ready to help Brno," Plicka stated.
    The chamber facilitated the discussion for the first time, although debates about the reconstruction of the railway hub have been ongoing for about 15 years, and to date, two variants have emerged. A station in a relocated position, about 800 meters south of the current one, and a station under Petrov in the area of Malá Amerika. "Nevertheless, I think it's not too late. We offer a neutral platform for the presentation of professional opinions, and I believe that stakeholders will work with them," Plicka said.
    According to him, a key urban-economic-social study has yet to be developed to determine whether Brno is capable of building a southern center as a viable city next to the new station. "I don't think Prague has that either. I would look at foreign examples; Basel seems very similar to Brno to me," Plicka mentioned, referring to the Swiss example. He believes that the placement of the station should be derived from these considerations.
    In the current discussion, he misses a greater openness from the sides to opposing views. "It's common in the Czech Republic for discussions to barricade themselves at opposite ends, and those who have a slight advantage try to exploit it. We know this in Prague with other topics. Then it becomes a political discussion and does not lead to a correct professional solution. But I see a great opportunity for that in Brno," said Plicka.
    Currently, it is assumed that a decision about the station's location should be made in the second half of next year when a referendum is to be held and a feasibility study, commissioned by the Railway Infrastructure Administration, should be completed. The city is also commissioning various other partial studies.

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16.04.15 06:00

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