Zuzana Koňasová, Tereza Galuszková - revitalization of the Černá louka area in Ostrava

Author's report: How to define the undefinable? The area of Černá Louka is, from an urban perspective, ungraspable, without a given guiding line, without a center. The concept of our proposal lies in its complexity. We decided to apply various approaches and not just one. Working with scale is crucial for the design. The superhuman scale of Karolina contrasts with the scale of the urban block construction of the historic core, and against this, one must perceive the small scale of Černá Louka. The different urban fabrics have undeniable dramatic qualities, and it is precisely because of them that the dialogue between the various parts of Ostrava stands out. In order for different identities to manifest themselves more clearly and strongly, a clear boundary must arise between the individual areas; this is why it is not meaningful to connect with the same scale to the already established structure of the historic center, even if it may seem to invite this. However, the larger the public space, the smaller its effect usually is, because buildings and monuments cannot be infinitely enlarged. Perhaps, among other things, this process also leads to a kind of loss of security, a sense of intimacy, protection, and closeness that old squares were able to provide without losing any of their monumental effect. Oversized boulevards and squares tend to empty themselves out and become lifeless. They talk about the interior of the sprawling city as well as its openness to the possibility of continuity even in the growth of the structure, both in the vertical and horizontal directions towards Silesian Ostrava. The river is spoken of as a boundary… the boundary of Silesian and Moravian Ostrava. For our proposal, however, the river becomes a connecting element. Thus, a process arises that leads to the creation of a unique place, a place with its own identity. We are not creating ghettos here, but rather spaces that intertwine with each other. This creates a sense of a growing character. Public buildings seem to float disorderly in a space whose stabilizing element is the relationships among them, the arteries of flowing people. The design, with its dynamism, tension, and dramatic quality, becomes a natural part of the urban color of Ostrava. Relationships and interspaces are essential, providing “composites” their diversity and densification. The design turns towards the river, not away from it, thus connecting both banks.

Jury's evaluation: The jury appreciates the courage and generosity of a solution to a complicated task. Innovative work with urban structures and a strong artistic opinion.