The meeting at Ládví was another chance to talk to neighbours right where they live.

This was not a formal debate from behind a desk. We wanted to hear what local people deal with every day: what bothers them, what works, what they fear and what they think should change. It should be mentioned that the association Krásné Kobylisy held its own meeting on the same day, which we also attended.

The estate needs care, not reckless infill development

One of the main topics was protecting the Ďáblice housing estate from insensitive infill development.

A housing estate is not an empty plot that can gradually be filled in without regard for traffic, green space, schools, services and the quality of life of the people who already live there. Every change has to make sense in a wider context and has to be discussed clearly with local people.

Ládví deserves development, but not the kind that makes residents' daily lives worse.

Parking, traffic and public space

There was also a lot of talk about parking and traffic. On housing estates these are not abstract topics. For local people they mean a daily hunt for a space, pedestrian safety, streets you can drive through and the quality of the space between the buildings.

Care for green space and public areas was just as important. It is these that make an estate a place to live, not just a collection of buildings. Trees, lawns, pavements, benches, playgrounds and a clean neighbourhood are not extras. They are a basic part of good housing.

The town hall's communication has to be better

Communication between the town hall and residents came up repeatedly as well.

People want to know in good time what is planned in their neighbourhood, why it is happening and how they can influence what the changes look like. A good town hall should not present residents with a done deal. It should talk to them before decisions are practically closed.

What we took away from the meeting

We are taking several clear topics away from the meeting at Ládví:

  • protect the Ďáblice housing estate from insensitive infill development
  • deal with parking and traffic with local people's everyday lives in mind
  • care for green space and public areas as the basis of quality of life
  • improve communication between the town hall and residents
  • collect specific reports directly from the people who live in Ládví

The debate continues

Thank you to everyone who came and joined the discussion.

But the debate does not end there. You can add further reports and ideas straight into the issues map on our website (8zije.cz/podnety). You can also contact the neighbourhood contact for Ládví, Vladislava Vojtíšková, directly.

Ládví and the Ďáblice housing estate can do better. And their future should be decided with the people who actually live there.