The city of Ostrava is consistently investing heavily to enhance public spaces and the quality of life for its residents. The city’s 2026 budget allocates CZK 15.9 billion, with nearly CZK 5.5 billion designated for investments. We interviewed Deputy Mayor Břetislav Riger, who manages the investment policy.
Ostrava is investing in its transportation infrastructure and the revitalisation of city districts. Which projects do you consider the most crucial, and how is the city addressing the rising construction costs?
Among the ongoing investment projects, I would highlight the complete reconstruction of the terminal at Náměstí Republiky and its surrounding area. This key public transport hub has been in poor condition for quite some time. In recent days, we have also completed a comprehensive transformation of Přemyslovců Street near the city centre, including the reconstruction of the water supply and sewer systems and adding greenery. I must also mention the concert hall project by renowned architect Steven Holl. Its completion will not only give us a world-class concert venue but also an architectural landmark and a space for community gatherings and events. Increasing costs do not jeopardise our major investment projects. We tackle them with proactive planning, the strategic use of funds or subsidies, and collaboration with investors and developers. A bigger challenge to city investment is the rise in current expenditures. The capital budget’s own resources come from the city’s revenues, after subtracting current expenses, which are about CZK 1.7 billion for 2026.
Many cities face challenges with limited parking, public transport, and smart traffic management. How is Ostrava tackling the modernisation of its transport system? Is it in corporating technological innovations in this area?
We are investing in building modern car parks and enhancing existing ones. A unified, user-friendly parking system has been installed, complete with necessary equipment, in seven facilities across Ostrava. This includes maintenance services and a parking reservation system. We are also continuously upgrading the communication standards of our car parks. Currently, we are implementing a project called “Increasing the Throughput of In tersections”, which we secured after a lengthy fourteen-year ten der process. As the name suggests, it will enhance intersection efficiency with dynamic traffic control, allowing coordination between intersections. This brings benefits such as the possible ac celeration of public and the prioritisation of emergency services. It is a significant investment, but it promises long-term benefits, like reducing the risk of traffic congestion by adjusting traffic preferences in various directions. While truly dynamic traffic control using AI remains theoretical due to legislative limitations, our system is prepared for future advancements. For now, we have predefined scenarios, or signal plans, for different situations.
The city is undertaking numerous investment projects at once, disrupting traffic flow. Will the long-term benefits compensate for the current inconveniences?
I understand that restrictions, especially traffic ones, are incon venient. However, they are a necessary temporary sacrifice. There are several owners of transport infrastructure in the city, including Ředitelství silnic a dálnic (Road and Motorway Directorate), the Moravian-Silesian Region, Správa železnic (Railway Administration), and the less visible infrastructure under the roads managed by Ostravské vodovody a kanalizace (Ostrava Water and Sewerage Company). We hold quarterly high-level coordination meetings, with additional regular and ad hoc meetings in between. Significant construction projects will be ongoing in the city for sometime, negatively affecting transport. I personally estimate that the most challenging period for Ostrava will be five to six years, during which three railway bridges and bridges on Mariánskohorská Street will need repair, while the Road and Motorway Directorate will expand Místecká Street to a four-lane road up to the motor way feeder. All these projects will significantly impact city traffic. However, the result will be an overall improvement in transport. This improvement applies to all areas, including transport, green infrastructure, public spaces, new buildings, and more. Each investment means a short-term disruption but leads to long-term enhancement in the quality of life for Ostrava’s residents.
