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Description
A development group is trying to push through the felling of the local sakura and the construction of a three-storey "Brand store" building in the corner of the Miloš Forman`s Square. Our intention is to stop the current revitalization plan, which is in conflict with the zoning plan. By connecting partner organizations with local citizens and creating a hybrid campaign, we will show how decision-making processes at the municipal level can be influenced from the role of citizens.
The tools are online campaign, personal contact, public event, video creation and distribution.
Summary of project results
The biggest contribution of the project was that the Ministry of Regional Development of the Czech Republic reversed the decision of the City Hall of the City of Prague and
stated that the planned building, due to its size and function, cannot be considered a "small commercial facility and services used for the operation and maintenance of
public spaces". This makes it now impossible to obtain a building permit for the construction of a Brand Store.
The petition of the “Citizens of Prague 1” association has been signed by 1,555 people since the launch of the campaign and has become successful. The lack of interest in
the process of approving the construction of the OD, from which the investor benefited, reached the media, the awareness of citizens and therefore politicians.
Citizens even gained support at the June council meeting of P1, where despite the negative vote of mayor Petr Hejma and the majority of the coalition, part of the current
coalition of Prague 1 joined the opposition and declared an important official reminder of the future unstoppability of the NMF metropolitan plan. Finally, thanks to
cooperation and networking, the citizens obtained the 200 necessary signatures to submit a citizen''s comment on the unstoppability of the NMF in the future metropolitan
plan.
The citizens of Josefov, i.e. Prague 1, benefited the most, both through the primary success of preventing the construction of a commercial Brand Store, and through taking
part in an unified interest to prevent from public space being privatized with commercial groups.
Methods of how to proceed in a dispute with private interests defended by the mayor with ties to developers were practically tested and reflected upon. These are
therefore valuable experiences that help professionalization of NGO`s and non-formal civil organisations. The public is more ready to take part in future civic participation
and defense of public interests.
In the event that there is another problem with construction on the Miloš Forman sq. it is possible to build upon the current platform, as it can reach a greater audience
now.