The transformation of the Svratka waterfront in Brno began with the felling of 362 trees

Brno – Preparatory work on the transformation of the Svratka River waterfront in Brno is about a quarter complete. Workers from the City of Brno Public Greenery (VZMB) have been removing some trees, shrubs, and invasive species there since February. By the end of March, they will fell 362 trees and clear 2,838 square meters of shrubs. Jana Běhalová, spokesperson for the Office of the Architect of the City of Brno, which is responsible for the waterfront transformation, told ČTK.

A vertical riverbank wall currently divides the river from the city. The aim of the modifications is to create flood protection measures, expand the riverbed, and at the same time allow people to spend their leisure time near the water. The section from the Riviéra swimming pool along Poříčí street to the viaduct on Uhelná street is set to transform into a place where people can go for walks, exercise, and relax.

The modifications began with the felling of trees in the most difficult section near Riviéra. "We are currently about a quarter of the way through. In the coming weeks, we will work more intensively; we are also addressing the use of a crane for felling problematic poplars. The work is complicated by the current situation with government measures and also the high water level of the Svratka River. Some trees are in the water on one or both sides. It will be crucial to fell the wood by the end of March. Cleanup, chipping, cutting, and milling will likely continue into April," said Tomáš Trnka on behalf of VZMB.

Only older hollow trees will be preserved. Where possible, tree protection will be ensured using wooden palisades. "The greatest impact on existing vegetation will be on Bakal's and Táborského waterfront. On the left bank, flood protection measures and a colonnade are planned to be built there. In this section, the Svratka riverbed will also be widened and a protective dike will be constructed. By the end of 2023, we will plant 1,772 new trees, about five percent of the planted trees will be fruit trees, which also serve as food for birds, such as the rowan tree," Běhalová stated.

In the construction site itself, 603 trees will be planted, while the rest will be on replacement plots, such as Wilson's forest in Žabovřesky and locations in the city parts of Vinohrady, Nový Lískovec, Medlánky, and Komín.

At the turn of spring and summer, construction works will begin following the preparation of the site, gradually transforming the Svratka waterfront according to a design by Ivan Ruller’s team.

"The addressed three-kilometer section of the Svratka waterfront will be divided into ten construction sites. Work on some of them will proceed simultaneously according to the schedule to be specified by the contractor. We are currently selecting a contractor with the expectation of starting work in early summer," Běhalová stated.

She added that the city applied for a grant in mid-January for the construction of flood protection measures, the total costs of which are preliminarily estimated at 1.6 billion. According to the conditions of the grant title, the construction must be completed by the end of 2023.