Prague can expand to other municipalities
At the municipality, at the moment, it is a question of what would need to be done to expand the city. According to some politicians, Přezletice would not have to be the only one. However, no other municipalities have addressed other municipalities yet. Unofficially, there is also talk of connecting Hostivice, Vestec, Šestajovic or Jenštěja and Radonice. For the last two, however, the request is unlikely.
“I think it would be appropriate to address other municipalities in order to possibly expand in one wave,” said Miroslav Poche (CSSD), chairman of the infrastructure committee of the Prague City Council. According to him, in connection with the connection, it is necessary to change about a dozen laws and finally the city’s zoning plan.
Possible applications from other municipalities will also be considered
However, it is possible to include new municipalities there in the last phase of preparation, ie next year. Already during the first discussion of Přezletic’s application last autumn, he said basically the same as Poche and Deputy Mayor Rudolf Blažek (ODS). But now his party colleagues seem hesitant.
“I don’t think we should be persuading anyone, but we will consider any possible requests from other municipalities. We will definitely not ask Hostivice, for example, to join the city, “said Mayor Pavel Bém (ODS) in exaggeration.
The mayor of Hostivice has previously discussed this issue with the city leadership, but according to the opposition, this particular case would not be advantageous for Prague. “They do not want to pay a crown, on the contrary, they would like to join the Prague treatment plant. In addition, connecting to all the infrastructure would greatly increase land prices, “said a source from Prague City Hall.
A reduction in the number of city districts is being discussed
Poche sees the situation in a similar way. “Prague already has a significant debt on infrastructure, and this will, of course, be deepened by the connection of other municipalities. In the case of Přezletice, but also other municipalities on the eastern border of the metropolis, it is still logical, “said Poche. In the case of Hostivice, according to him, other necessary investments in infrastructure could reach up to three quarters of a billion.
According to the Social Democrats, the examination of the interest of the surrounding municipalities would be important also with regard to the entire legislative process, for example in connection with the draft amendment to the Prague Capital Act.
“It would be good to know how many municipalities could join Prague, and then consider the extent of possible mergers. The local authority, on the other hand, is best acquainted with the local problems of the people, so a radical reduction in the number of city districts is not entirely desirable, although it would be economically beneficial, “said Poche.
The reduction in the number of town halls is being promoted mainly by the Communists, and it is not opposed by individuals from other political clubs in the Prague City Council.