Participation, painting, patience: Working with a marginalised community in Ostrava, Czechia
Abstract
This paper documents a participatory planning process in a marginalised neighbourhood in Ostrava, Czechia, a traditional industrial city facing urban shrinkage. The case study focuses on the regeneration of a vacant grassy area on Jílová Street, an initiative by the City of Ostrava proposed through participatory budgeting. The study area suffers from spatial segregation and decades of systemic underfunding. The project aimed to address this long-term neglect by designing a public space that genuinely reflects the needs of local residents. A research team from the University of Ostrava conducted field research with the help of diverse participatory methods, involving a wide range of residents, specifically focusing on children and teenagers. Informed by these insights, the team developed a design for a multifunctional leisure space for all generations. Despite various complications during the project’s realisation, the successful implementation and subsequent use of the public space refuted prejudices regarding a passive attitude of locals and fears of vandalism. The case of Jílová Street area suggests that successful regeneration in ‘left-behind’ neighbourhoods calls for a place-based approach and patience. Ultimately, the active involvement of the local community not only strengthens their sense of belonging but also serves as a catalyst for sustained interest in the area’s further development. This article is also included in The Business & Management Collection which can be accessed at https://hstalks.com/business/.
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Author's Biography
Alexandr Nováček PhD is an Assistant Professor at the University of Ostrava, Czechia. His research focuses on sustainable urban development, quality of life, walkability, and participatory planning, including the concept of child-friendly cities. Alexandr has contributed to multiple strategic planning and policy documents for municipalities, linking academic research with real-world implementation and fostering interdisciplinary collaboration in urban development.
Daniel Janečko is a PhD student at the University of Ostrava, Czechia. His research focuses on the built environment in the context of sustainable urban development with particular attention to its influence on the quality of life for families and children. He is also involved in participatory and strategic planning projects and has co-authored policy documents and development strategies for municipalities.
Gert-Jan Hospers PhD is a Senior Researcher at the University of Ostrava, Czechia. He has published in the fields of city branding, urban shrinkage, and civic participation, among others. Gert-Jan is also Director of Stad en Regio, a Dutch foundation that works in the practice of placemaking in cities and regions. To activate people to talk about places, he employs methods such as walking interviews and future design thinking.
