Chief of the Chamber of Architects: Michalik has built a model community in Dolní Břežany

Dolní Břežany – Dolní Břežany near Prague became a model municipality during the mayoralty of Věslav Michalik (STAN) and an example of how cooperation between local government and urban planners should work. Jan Kasl, the chairman of the Czech Chamber of Architects (ČKA), told ČTK this. According to him, Michalik, who suddenly passed away on Sunday, was a visionary who was open to advice and for whom a conceptual perspective was important.

"Dolní Břežany became a prototype of how a mayor and the council should function in relation to the development of the municipality, including architectural competitions and a conceptual view of the development of the settlement. He also participated in round tables that we held in the chamber, where we discussed the role of local governments in development, how they can jointly with architects and urban planners contribute to making it a good place to live. Michalik was a shining example of how to do these things well," Kasl believes.

Michalik had been the mayor of Dolní Břežany continuously since 2004. During that time, the population of the municipality more than doubled. In 2004, about 1800 people lived there, compared to 4380 this year. Dolní Břežany has long attracted the interest of the architectural community; during Michalik's tenure, unique research laser center and new sports hall among other buildings were established there. The municipality, located in a ring around Prague, had previously emphasized civic amenities, which led to the project of a new square, the construction of shops, restaurants, a bank, and a medical center.

"Michalik was very aware of the necessary cooperation with a qualified person, an authorized person in planning, in considering public contracts, what would be built there – a school, a laser center, housing development. They, of course, had the advantage of having attractive operations there. The laser center also attracted an interesting social group. He, on the contrary, created space for them to want to stay there, so they wouldn't commute from Prague or another settlement," Kasl added.

However, the project to modify the Celtic settlement Závist in the municipality's cadastre has recently sparked negative public reactions. Opponents mainly oppose the use of concrete at the site of the Celtic settlement. The author of the proposal, Josef Pleskot, argues that concrete slabs will create a roof over the archaeological finds and protect them from further water infiltration. "I think Josef Pleskot has thought these projects through deeply. But perhaps it was harmed by how it was presented or how the information spread," Kasl said regarding that.