Kostelní Lhota, Central Bohemian Region, Czech Republic
The “Thirst for Future“ epitomizes Kostelní Lhota. The mayor, the municipal council, associations, and countless engaged residents shape their future and that of their region through project developments grounded in broad consensus-driven discussions, analyses, idea collections, and opinion surveys, further reinforced by experts from universities and European networks. Often, this is done with the understanding that some projects cannot yet be implemented today or must first be further developed until they are financially viable and promise sustainable success. The long-standing policy of small, smart steps with a big impact and the highly modern, citizen-oriented municipal management can serve as motivation and a model for many villages in Europe.
The village community lives by contemporary concepts of ecology, resource conservation, value creation, building culture, education, culture, and sports. The 2013 floods and the droughts of recent years have made residents more aware of the need for sustainable village development. The establishment of radically ecological standards in open spaces and existing buildings, with renewable energies and water retention basins for rainwater, reflects this attitude. Through renovations and revitalizations, a new inviting village center has emerged near the village pond. The awareness of and forward-looking care for the alleys and green spaces ensures the character of the green village, closely linking traditional settlement typologies with renovations and new constructions. A comprehensive landscape concept developed by the Technical University of Prague sets the guidelines for water-sensitive climate adaptation measures for the surrounding landscape. Renaturalizations and tree plantings are impressive, documented signs of transformation.
The municipality is located within the commuter belt of Prague, 45 km away, which is reflected in rising property prices and increased migration. The responsible parties have clearly recognized the challenges that arise from this and are attempting to enable new forms of living for both young and old through regulated growth by focusing on internal development and limited new designations. Particularly, the demanded and implemented closure of the road for heavy traffic and the construction of a cycle path integrated into the regional and international network have improved the quality of life. In addition, the community successfully interprets traditions in a contemporary way and uses them as a force for future-oriented actions.
Kostelní Lhota has created a new village center through the revitalization of architecturally significant buildings that define the identity of the village. Although the number of active Catholics is small, public opinion polls and idea collections included in a strategic process revealed a priority desire among the population: the renovation of the church and rectory. Remarkably, the church not only functions as an important symbol of identity but, through its renovation from 2018 to 2020, has also gained a contemporary function as a multifunctional meeting space with bells and a renovated organ. In this space, alongside religious ceremonies, secular events are also held to a significant extent.
Alongside the church and the rectory, which has been converted into a community center, there is also a school with a modern extension, a pond, the fire station, and a community center with a library. The scarcely paved village center transitions seamlessly into an old linden avenue, which, like several other avenues, is maintained with a focus on the future. Together with other green spaces in and around the village green, it integrates traditional settlement typologies, conversions, and new buildings into a cohesive whole.
During repurposing and renovations, high ecological standards were considered, including the use of renewable energy, heat recovery, and rainwater retention basins. Ultimately, there has been a general increase in awareness of the importance of preserving valuable architectural structures, leading to further projects in this area, including those initiated by private individuals.
Following the European Union‘s guidelines and with a forward-looking perspective, Kostelní Lhota introduced an environmentally sustainable waste management system in 2016 with the vision of “Zero-Waste Production“. The municipality has established a recycling center where sorted residual waste, hazardous waste, and construction materials are repurposed. Additionally, a RE-USE center was founded, serving as a second-hand exchange station for the region, which has been considered a flagship project for years, as all items are recorded with QR codes and made visible on the municipality‘s website.
Furthermore, environmentally sustainable mobility was recognized as essential. At the beginning of the development process, heavy traffic ran through the village, and there was no bike path connecting to the nearest small town. Therefore, in cooperation with and with financial participation from neighboring municipalities, the Poděbrady-Kostelní Lhota-Sadská bike path was built as an additional loop to the Elbe Valley Cycle Route, which is now heavily used by both locals and tourists. It is lit – energy-efficiently and with low light pollution – and is used even into the night.
To increase tourism attractiveness, the development of a mineral water spring with a wooden sculpture as a protective roof is currently being planned. Furthermore, also in successful cooperation with neighboring municipalities, a truck traffic ban was imposed by the authorities, leading to traffic calming and a higher quality of life.
For the past 20 years, landscape planning has been an essential component of future planning in Kostelní Lhota. With expert advice from the Technical University of Prague, the municipality has developed a comprehensive strategic landscape concept. Plantings resulting from this plan and their maintenance are implemented in collaboration with residents: children planted a fruit tree avenue, those born in 1989 planted a Freedom Avenue, and every graduating student plants a tree in the “Green Ring“, gradually creating a natural forest barrier towards the highway. The selection of climate-resilient trees and plants is emphasized, as is the case with all green spaces.
Part of the landscape concept also includes water management, such as the renaturalization of fire ponds and the stream that flows past the village, adjustments to flood protection, and the renaturalization of water ditches on agricultural land. Remarkable measures are being implemented here, based on consensus-oriented cooperation between the municipality, agricultural businesses, and the community.
In response to development pressure, the village has carefully designated new building land along the back roads of the village green. Ecological and settlement typological standards were considered, and the downsizing of plots is under discussion. New, also communal, living arrangements for young and old are emerging through internal repurposing and densification with appealing architectural concepts.
With the construction of a community center with a library in a vacant building, done in an extremely resource-efficient and contemporary manner, an important social meeting place has been created that greatly enhances community life. The digital event calendar is packed with programs for all generations. The school and kindergarten, run with impressive educational concepts, are other centers of social life, which can also be used independently and for other purposes if needed.
Natural disasters such as floods and droughts have particularly sensitized the residents to the fact that the right measures taken in the present are crucial for the future viability of the community. The municipal authorities capitalize on this awareness and create targeted opportunities for public participation. At the same time, this enthusiasm for shaping the future has led to the creation of numerous new associations in recent years. They strengthen community life, utilize and enliven the meeting spaces created by the municipality, and implement a range of smaller and larger projects with significant volunteer engagement, organize regional festivals, and create value.
Finally, it is also possible to interpret identity-forming traditions in a contemporary way. There is a remarkable attitude among the population that for unaffordable big wishes, there are either creative small solutions or projects in cooperation with neighboring municipalities that lead to synergies and open up new financing options.
Evaluated: 2024
