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Description
In the city district of Ostrava-Jih, a new park will arise, which will serve all age categories of inhabitants. The project will be implemented in a city district characterised by the highest percentage of impermeable areas, highest susceptibility to heat and poor public greenery. The district is one of the most vulnerable areas to climate change.
The new recreation area with a pond will be created between an outpatient clinic and a revitalized area of block of flats called “U Severínu” and will include a newly built children playground. The space will be complemented by trees, bushes, perennial and meadow plants, and a new park furniture. The water surface of the pond will continue as a wooden plateau with white concrete stages of seemingly organic forms. Behind those stages a site modulation will take place. Large vegetation, to be planted behind the plateau, will cover, and isolate the site from the nearby building. On the other side of the biotope, a wooden, wavelike footpath will lead above the water surface towards a semicircle relaxation place.
The self-cleaning capability of the biotope will be enhanced by a sewage plant and a waterside stripe of vegetation. As a result of the revitalization of the area, a polyfunctional space will arise, which will serve all age categories of people. The draft of the new, modern and nature-friendly park has been created in accordance with the strategic papers of the City of Ostrava (Adaptation Strategy https://bit.ly/3m5rrHc, Ostrava City Strategic Development Plan for 2017-2023 https://bit.ly/35vwf22), and it suits the needs of the inhabitants of Ostrava. The project will lead to a better water infiltration, lowering of the ambient temperature and improvement of the quality of public space.
Summary of project results
The project Park area behind the Hrabůvka Polyclinic was an essential part of the regeneration of the Ostrava South urban district. Before its implementation, it was only a grassy area with tree inventory and insufficient connection to pedestrian routes, which led to the creation of trampled paths. On the eastern side of the area there were several pieces of new planting, which were, however, professionally replanted and treated during the implementation. The aim of the project was to transform an unused area with great potential into a tranquillity zone, incorporating a water feature and providing a place for relaxation and social gatherings. By implementing this, we have created a pleasant and environmentally friendly space that will contribute to environmental remediation and mitigate the impact of climate change. Thus, the park area not only improves the quality of life of the inhabitants, but also offers a space for active leisure. Within the project, we have built on the SMO adaptation strategy and the Healthy City priority as set out in the Ostrava Strategic Plan. This makes the project part of a wider effort to revitalise the city''s green spaces and improve the quality of the environment.
The main activity of the project was the complete transformation of the area behind the Polyclinic. The original grassy area was replaced by a new space with a biotope, a wooden pier and deck chairs that complement the rest area. A new network of park paths was created, which cross the area from all directions, including a new semi-permeable walkway. Part of the park paths were designed in grassed gravel. The park has been enriched with new lighting and furniture, which was previously missing and will be used for relaxation and recreation. The area includes an aquatic habitat with a plant zone that will provide water purification. Several pieces of the original plantings have been replanted, unsightly pieces replaced with new ones, and the rest of the space planted with new inventory in the form of trees, shrubs, lawns and perennial beds.
The project was part of a strategic effort by the City of Ostrava to create a blue-green infrastructure. The main environmental benefits were several. These were a) improving the infiltration of rainwater by creating completely permeable surfaces, b) reducing the temperature in the local microclimate and positively influencing the temperature of surrounding buildings by establishing new residential greenery, c) reducing dust by trapping dust particles with the proposed greenery, d) promoting a better spatial structure of vegetation, e) promoting biodiversity by choosing a wide range of green elements (trees, perennials, shrubs). Perennials are planted based on the principles of extensive planting and are highly resistant to climatic events such as temperature fluctuations and droughts.
The project was implemented in the territory of the Statutory City of Ostrava, specifically in the Ostrava South district. The visitor potential will be influenced not only by people from the immediate surroundings, but also by the citizens of the surrounding districts. The range of people who will be positively affected is large, as the Ostrava South district has a population of just under 100,000 and is therefore the most populous district in Ostrava. The park area can be used not only by people who live in its immediate vicinity, but also by visitors to the nearby Polyclinic or children from nearby primary schools and kindergartens. The project has achieved an apatation/mitigation measure. We added 26 newly planted trees, 27 shrubs, perennial beds, aquatic plants and a new lawn to the area. A portion of the main walkway is lined with full-flowered non-bearing cherry trees and shrubby hornbeams will grow near the playground. Plantings also included white willow, lamarck''s flycatcher, and Douglas fir. The park was enriched with 5,522 bulbs, 2,259 perennials and 1,300 aquatic and wetland plants. The new perennial bed was planted with starflowers, blue iris, flax, hollyhocks and a variety of other flowers. Dogwoods were planted in the rest area. The reason for the planting was not only to help cool and shade the area but also to reduce dust. The construction helped to increase the permeability of the ground itself, increase infiltration of rainwater and improve the overall public space.
The project was based on a new modern and nature-friendly park, which was part of the strategic documents related to the application of blue-green infrastructure in cities. By implementing it, it became another green project that helps to improve the climate of the neighbourhood and the whole city. The formerly grassed area, which was not used before, has become a leisure space for all ages. The project''s design has contributed to a number of aspects. The creation of semi-permeable and fully permeable surfaces will improve the infiltration of rainwater. The planting of new residential greenery will affect the temperature in the immediate area and the temperature of the surrounding buildings and prevent dust particles from being trapped. The long-term impact of the project is an overall improvement in climatic conditions that will positively affect not only the project area but also its wider surroundings. Even after sustainability, the park will continue to be used as a public space with an attractive water feature.