CHANGING THE MAIN: Revitalization of Hlavní Street in Český Těšín

Těšínś Hlavní třída is a long street clearly defined by street fronts. However, it is not a homogeneous street. In each section it lives a different life, needs to fulfil a different function and offers different possibilities. Three parts, which by their life predetermine 3 different types of street. A confident tree line in the middle of the city. A new public space halfway between the Czech and Polish squares. Where no one expected it. Variability and a basis for the future development of the street. Connecting two parks and bringing greenery into the street. New opportunities for cyclists and safe and wide routes for pedestrians. Use of historic paving where it makes sense. Connecting the overall concept of paved areas between Český Těšín and Cieszyn. This is our proposal.

The jury appreciated the creative approach to the design while respecting the established transport system. For Station Street, the adopted articulation of the street corridor was favourable, both in terms of function and the use of surface materials. It also commended the design of the innovative traffic system at the mouth of the street by the bridge and the entrance to the Czech Republic. Along with the creative approach of connecting the public realm and the Olše River waterfront. The project successfully addresses the interconnection of the street system from a pedestrian perspective. The jury appreciated the realism of cost and sensible cost reduction, the use of asphalt for the roadway not only as a cheaper but also less noisy surface.

Main Street will become a vibrant urban street with a distinctive tree line, emphasizing pedestrian movement and residential function. From the bridge Friendship Bridge forms the gateway to the area with a dignified public space and a new landmark on corner. Reorganisation of traffic will allow for calming of the street and better pedestrian connections to the station and the waterfront. A variable strip is proposed in the street profile in which stormwater management and where tree planting alternates with other functions - parking, flower beds, restaurant gardens, furniture. These functions can easily be changed according to the current needs and the nature of the services in the parterre of houses.

The proposal offers the boldest solution of all those submitted in terms of transport and active connections to the park and waterfront. We appreciate the innovative transportation solution that does not settle for simply adopting the submitted traffic study. On the contrary, it explores other options, taking into account the vision of the city's transport development and diverting transit traffic away from the city centre. Compositional work with the waterfront and the park increases the possibilities for further development - the work clearly demonstrates the deficiencies of the current situation and the potential for connecting recreational areas to the Hlavní třída street. The idea of replacing the existing Customs House building with a new volume can become a new urban impulse. We positively evaluate the support of the character of the individual parts of the street by its zoning. The design of the public realm is comprehensive, responsibly crafted and balanced in terms of the elements and approaches used, including working with vegetation and stormwater. The investment costs are realistic. The operational design and operating costs are well designed.

Street. City street. Hlavní třída (Main street). Neglected. Diverse building substance dulled by the ravages of time and human inactivity. A few years later. A quality, dignified, representative environment worthy of its historical and cultural and social significance. A prerequisite for the natural cultivation of space, both in terms of materiality and social or content.

A very professional project that can be further worked on. However, the proposed solution does not have a very rational and timeless approach. To some extent it does not stand out so much in terms of inventiveness, but this can be considered acceptable in the long run upon closer study. A certain degree of austerity of the design does not correspond to the current trends in architecture. The use of more expensive materials throughout the profile and length of the roadway appears to be an economic threat to the project.

The main objective of the design is to create a pleasant linear centre in the area of Hlavní třída with adequately spacious comfortable areas for pedestrians, to design attractive places for pleasant stay in the shade of trees and at the same time not to exclude the possibility of parking. We intend to revitalize and make the downtown attractive through a subtle concept, the use of quality stone pavers, the selection of appropriate trees, and the addition of attractive accents and furnishings to the public realm. In particular, our proposal aims to optimally balance the proportions of the requirements of the users of the public space.

According to the jury, the design has not developed since the first phase of the competition and despite decent processing and a number of interesting elements, especially in the field of blue-green infrastructure, the design has not brought a landscape-architectural solution that meets the contemporary requirements for public spaces. The schematic placement of the trees is enriched by the changing form of the parterre, but the materials used were not convincing to the jury. The investment costs are realistic, but the jury is not convinced that the overall operating costs are optimal for the street. Some of the elements and tree planting have a park-like character. Translated with www.DeepL.com/Translator (free version)

By sensitively revitalizing and complementing one of the city's key arteries, the design has created an attractive residential boulevard where its history comes alive. Residents and visitors will be welcomed by a sympathetic atmosphere reminiscent of the First Republic, with contemporary architectural elements and interventions that will make Hlavní třída in Český Těšín an attractive public space for all ages and a sought-after meeting place that meets the demands of the 21st century.

The competition design dealt well with the technological solution. The tree planting, although respecting the existing conditions, is not schematically planted. Although the design responds to the existing Nádražní Street and uses larger slabs as a connection to the existing public realm of the city. The use of paving- red porphyry, appears to be too contrasting with the large scale paving. The jury questions the sufficiency of the material. The existing material, red porphyry, is not adequately explained, i.e. where it came from if it is existing. For this reason the jury doubts the economic viability of the proposal.