Background

Ostrava, the third largest city in the Czech Republic, is the centre of the Moravian-Silesian region. It has a very favourable geographical position, being located about 10 kilometres south of the border with Poland and 50 kilometres west of the border with Slovakia.

It was the third city in the Czech Republic to play the Future City Game. We were looking for original and sustainable ideas related to a creative city, and important to the residents of Ostrava. The game was a part of the European Capital of Culture 2015 candidature process.

Objectives

Many very interesting ideas came up during the game, and the great mix of participants provided our partners with an interesting insight into the problems and proposed solutions. The game was co-organised by ProCulture/Open Society, the city of Ostrava, the City Library, Fiducia Gallery, and Ostrava University Student Union.

Winning idea

Cykloart – the path which draws

The idea uses the existing web of cycle-paths and adds additional value to the public spaces by providing them with activities. A cycle-path along the River Ostravice would not only be enriched with sculptures, but would also become a venue for various activities, such as seasonal exhibitions, art productions, etc. To promote the city, the objects exhibited along the path would be made of materials typical of Ostrava: coal, steel, stone, rubble, slag, oil. Well-known artists, youngsters and children could participate in the design of the cycle-path. Cyclists and tourists would not only be observers, but could also participate in the activities by constructing sand sculptures, etc.

Winning ideas from the other teams

Your Neighbour

The idea focuses on the promotion of the various cultures in Ostrava (the Roma people, the Vietnamese, Ukrainians and others) through different types of activities, such as a children’s day for all minority groups in individual neighbourhoods, a multicultural calendar, and games with multicultural themes. The project would also need the support of the media to achieve wide public attention, so the idea tries to attract the media. In order to popularise the events, the local media (local newspapers, city council’s web pages or local cable TV) should have more features on the culture of individual nationalities.

EcoLogic Gallery

The ‘EcoLogic Gallery’ project introduces a multi-functional space, where the public could learn more about ecological issues. The idea is to try to change the perception of Ostrava as a ‘black city’, and overcome the idea that the capital is the only city of culture. A multi-functional building in the city centre would consist of a gallery, a seminar room, and a bio-coffee room, where bio-products would be on sale. The EcoLogic Gallery would mainly feature local artists/performers from Ostrava and the surroundings to support and encourage local cultural production. Ecology is presented as ‘the beauty of natural material’, and the educational activities would introduce ecology as a necessary component of our times and lifestyle.

Ostrava, let in!

The project builds on Ostrava’s history and seeks some new uses for industrial buildings, which would be revived with the help of creative artists, scientists, private enterprises, and residents. The idea creates an interactive map of industrial monuments through a system of geocaching. Young artists and students provided proposals on the reconstruction of some technical monuments. Dvojhalí would be transformed into a gallery. The City Slaughterhouse would become a multi-functional arts centre, with a concert hall, music club, restaurants, and exhibition space. After the reconstruction, Jáma Jindřich would be used as a restaurant and café, and the industrial area near Křižíkova Street as a sports centre. The idea also envisages interactive web pages collecting information about cultural monuments, the history of the city, people’s ideas connected with the technical monuments and others.