Background

The first Future City Game in the Czech Republic was launched in Pilsen city centre and addressed the needs of the individual districts in the city, with a special focus on the challenges related to the European Capital of Culture bid. Since Pilsen is running for the European Capital of Culture 2015, the game has been expanded to include other districts. The games aim to engage the public in the process of bid preparation and debates on the future of the districts they live in, and consequently the whole city.

Objectives

The Future City Game in Pilsen 1 District - Lochotin addressed the district’s key challenges and needs, and challenged the participants to find innovative and creative solutions. The ideas generated at the game were discussed with residents and experts in individual areas of work. Two days of hard work led to five ideas on improving the quality of life in the Lochotin district.

The game was implemented in cooperation with the Centre for Community Organizing in West Bohemia (CpKP), The European Projects Coordination Unit of the City of Pilsen and the Council of Pilsen Lochotin.

Winning idea

Refreshing Pilsen

After two outlook towers in Pilsen were demolished, only one remains – the Sylvan Tower on Sylvan Hill. The winning idea focuses on the revitalisation and promotion of this tourist attraction and its surrounding area to establish a popular meeting point. A water cascade would connect the hill with the Zoo, thus realizing the old plan of bringing water to Lochotinsky Park, and the pavilion in the park would become a cultural venue. The Sylan Tower, the restaurant at the top of the hill, the pavilion and the cafeteria in the park would attract more visitors to the area, as well as transforming it into a lively meeting point.
 

Winning ideas from the other teams

Let’s Meet Outside

The team focused on the revitalisation of public spaces to make the Lochotin district more attractive and improve the quality of life in the district. Places between the prefab blocks of flats, which are not used at the moment, would be turned into cultural venues, hosting small-scale theatre performances, school performances, discussions, festivals, concerts, art workshops, etc. To attract residents, the public places would be transformed into pleasant meeting points, with chess tables, petanque, table tennis and a dance floor.

Lochotin Circle: Connecting Nature, Sports, Culture and Science

This idea tries to connect already established points of interest by considering an eco-friendly solution. It focuses on a sightseeing circle in the Lochotin district. An eco-friendly train would operate on a special route, with several trips a day. The train would be free of charge and would make interesting places easily accessible to both residents and tourists. Local residents could use it for transportation purposes, as well as for sightseeing trips.

A Brilliant City

The Lochotin district is one of the biggest in Pilsen, containing mainly prefab blocks of flats. The biggest problems in these areas are lack of water due to heat radiation and a cold anonymity. The motto of the project is ‘Where there is water, there is life’. As a solution to the above-mentioned problems, the idea is to retain rainwater in small ponds and try to use it effectively and creatively.

Easily Accessible Youth Club

Even though Lochotin is the most populous district, there is a lack of facilities where young people could spend their leisure time. The idea focused on young people’s needs and a diverse offer of leisure activities. It was discussed with residents, who would warmly welcome such a facility, and they mentioned several activities that should be included: concerts of local bands, film screenings, discussions, a climbing wall, billiards, and a wall for graffiti.