Praha 5 was fined by heritage protectors for giant flower pots

Prague - Prague 5 received two fines from conservationists for the giant flower pots that were placed in the streets of Smíchov last year. The reason, according to Jiří Skalický, the director of the municipal heritage protection department, is that the municipality installed the flower pots in historically protected areas without the approval of the conservationists. Prague 5 must pay a total of 147,000 crowns. Local residents have long complained about the flower pots.
     "The reason for the fine is that they unlawfully placed these objects both in a heritage reserve and in a heritage zone," Skalický told ČTK. According to him, the municipality has appealed against the fine, but the Ministry of Culture confirmed the sanction. The imposition of the fine was confirmed by Prague 5 spokesperson Ivona Kratochvílová, but she did not comment further on the matter.
     Conservationists particularly objected to the placement of the giant concrete flower pots on Hořejší embankment, which is part of the Prague heritage reserve, as well as in Svornosti and Strakonická streets, which are in the Smíchov heritage zone. According to conservationists, a total of 98 flower pots were inappropriately placed.
     The giant flower pots, intended for planting trees and shrubs, began to be distributed by the municipality last summer. A total of 245 containers were made. The municipal district is expected to receive 16 million crowns from the European Union for the project, which was allegedly intended to improve the environment, with an additional 1.5 million crowns covered by its own funds.
     However, the proposal has faced opposition from local residents from the outset, who even organized a petition because of it. According to residents, the flower pots hindered passage and created barriers on the sidewalks. The municipality then removed the flower pots from areas where people did not want them last autumn. It is now preparing adjustments to the entire project.