Tereza Kleiner: It's time to think differently about the landscape of Podluží

You studied garden and landscape architecture at Mendel University. What led you to study this field?

I decided to go in this direction almost immediately after I found out about its existence at the Gaudeamus fair in Brno. I was intrigued by the intersection of science, art and technology. And given that I was driven to love nature from a young age and attended an art primary art school until I graduated from high school, "landscape" was the obvious choice for me.

You say that you were driven to love nature from a young age. Can you say more about that?

I used to go on trips with my parents and grandparents. Being a scout could have been formative in this as well. I joined a troop in preschool and went through the education on the child side and then the leader side until I was about 22. This entailed various trips, camps, and educational programmes.

As a landscape architect, how do you perceive the landscape of Podluží?

Since I am not from here, I started to perceive the surroundings only when I was studying in Lednice and, of course, much more intensively after I moved to Hodonín in 2020 when I started working here. I started to think more about it after the tornado, to realise the connections. I guess, like everybody, I am now intensely aware of what the landscape around Moravská Nová Ves and Hrušky looks like. And I think we should focus on that here in the region now. I'm not really surprised that the tornado struck there; the conditions are perfect for such a phenomenon. I don't see the landscape of the foothills in that sense at the moment.

Is this opinion shared by the majority of the inhabitants of Podluží?

I think in our industry, there is no doubt. The local government has become aware of it, too, but maybe they started to become more aware after the tornado. The question is how much they react or want to react to it. I think more engaged citizens are receptive to it, those who have a relationship with nature or are from a family that works in agriculture or has vineyards. It depends on the bubble. In general, I think people don't yet realise what vegetation in the landscape and cities means. Maybe those who have been affected by the tragedy are more aware.

From your work position, do you talk about this with the people of Hodonín? What is their attitude?

We're trying. The most intense discussion is on the upcoming projects—investments right in the city or in suburban forests. We talk about why they are important and that we are trying to adapt to climate change to improve the environment sustainably. Even right now, during the preparation of the adaptation strategy, we are talking about the fact that awareness could be expanded through educational programmes.

First, you worked in the management of the town's green spaces, now you are responsible for the city's development. How has your job changed?

Yes, for two years, I worked in the Waste Management and Green Space Department. I was initially mainly responsible for the care of the urban green space, i.e. its procurement, optimisation, and control. I assessed city projects in terms of their impact, as well as for creating my own projects, such as an information system for urban green space, the transformation of perennial beds, planting trees, raising awareness, etc.). I applied my knowledge of the natural science side of my field and quite soon the idea of moving professionally in a direction where I could apply more architectural thinking emerged.

I was looking for an opportunity to move to the City Development Department, which is responsible for strategic and conceptual planning. My wish was granted, albeit in a rather dramatic way. In June of 2021, a tornado hit more than just our town.

That must have been very challenging...

It was a huge shock for the town and its citizens. Although there was not much space or thought for it at the beginning, it was necessary to start planning a comprehensive reconstruction of the affected area relatively quickly. The amount of work on new "tornado" projects created the need for a new position, which I took on in late 2022.

What was going on for you personally between the tornado and taking your new position?

That was kind of a second tornado. When we started to think about recovery planning, we were invited on behalf of the Green Department, as the Tornando significantly affected the urban green space and the adjacent landscape that we have in the area (38 hectares of forest and up to 1500 trees in the town centre). A lot of new projects came up, often with large green space elements, and my work became more developmental in nature. But I enjoyed it; I was drawn to it, and I applied myself to it. We're quite a small authority, so we work across departments, and we worked extensively with the Development Department as well. So, when it came to the need to recruit someone new to manage these projects, I felt like I should move to live nearby.

Can you elaborate on what your work looks like?

I prepare briefs for architects for the city's plans and ensure the whole process results in work that is envrionmentally friendly and sustainable. Because of my focus, I am assigned projects that are more fundamentally about working with urban greenery, landscape, and public space. In addition, I am in charge of the development of an adaptation strategy.

It seems that Hodonín is becoming a regional leader in this respect, thanks to your work.

I think it's the work of an awful lot of people. I came to the office at the right time when the city planning staff were being rejuvenated. There were good conditions for looking at things differently, for dealing with optimisation and responses to climate change issues. The catalyst for those changes is really the tornado because a tragedy like that makes us think about how we lead as a people in general and how we approach nature. Of course, with that comes a lot of new grant opportunities, and with the money comes more appetite, which is an incentive for new projects. As we're a town of less than 25,000, we're tackling an awful lot of projects, and that wouldn't be happening if it weren't for the tornado and so much outside help. Right now, it seems like we're dragging our feet, but it's more out of some necessity.

I was expecting a humble response...

It makes me happy that it might inspire someone, but again, I don't want to over or understate us completely. We've got some really good architects working with us, and the Karel Komarek Foundation has stepped in—both financially and with contacts and help with participation and promotion. We manage to communicate the projects well out there. We are visible, which is great.

You joined the EUKI ELCA project as a participant in the "Climate Protection Manager" training. What do you hope to get out of it?

The opportunity to be involved came at the same time that we were launching our collaboration with the Partnership Foundation and People in Need on the adaptation strategy. As such, it proposes not only specific interventions in urban space but also, for example, systemic changes in project management. The focus of the course thus develops the areas we intend to focus on in relation to the adaptation strategy, so my enrolment proved to be logical.

And did the expectations come true?

During the lectures, we are introduced to a number of topics related to the management of adaptation measures. We are also connected with interesting people in the field practice. I find it very valuable to see examples of innovative solutions during the trips, ideally with comments from competent persons. Equally important is networking, not only internationally but also within our Czech team. It is very diverse and forms a good breeding ground for future cooperation.

Does what you have learnt from your German partners fit into your work in Hodonín?

Their approach to public space and climate change in relation to the quality of life in cities is inspiring. I like that they devote great energy to educational participation and that they work intensively with universities. They promote systemic and physical measures. In this respect, we will benefit from applying the upcoming adaptation strategy, for example, from the meeting with climate protection managers in Kassel, Germany, where we discussed their approaches and contributions to greening the city. It was also stimulating to visit the exhibition space in the city centre, which the University of Kassel uses to raise awareness of climate change and how to adapt to it.

You worked with People in Need before EUKI ELCA. What have you done together?

We are currently working on an adaptation strategy for our town, where People in Need is helping us not only financially but also with its experience in this area.

Can you describe any other projects you are working on with NGOs or foundations?

Our cooperation with the Karel Komárek Family Foundation is essential and very pleasant. It was started immediately after the tornado, and in addition to generous financial assistance for the design and partial implementation needs of the site we are restoring, they participate with citizens and in the entire planning process. With their help, interesting outreach events are being created, both for the public and for officials.

How does the public perceive such activities?

Various public meetings have been held at different stages of the project. For example, we met on Children's Day and the Run through the Pheasantry, which the Foundation helps to organise. These are popular events, so they are also ideal opportunities to promote site restoration projects. People are interested, and it seems to me that they perceive it rather positively.

What are your plans and visions for Hodonín?

This year will see the start of many partial post-tornado projects, which have been in the pipeline for several years. These projects will demand a lot from many colleagues. However, it also allows us to discuss the fact that the tornado is one thing. However, we cannot underestimate the development of the rest of the city. For example, we are now working on a project to revitalise the area around the old branch of the Morava River that connects the regulated stream on the border with the city centre. In May, we will launch an architectural competition for this site. It's going to be very nice, and we'll probably live with it for a couple of years now.

And the big theme for us will be the landscape. I think the problem with all the tornado communities is that everybody probably realises that addressing the landscape is critical to adapting to these kinds of natural disasters. Priorities have just been elsewhere. Those communities were devastated, and the mayors' attention was on that. So, capacity-wise, financially and in terms of ideas, landscape—though no less important—was put on the back burner. We had a similar situation, except that our suburban forest was the hardest hit by the tornado, and it had been a site of intensive interest for years, even before the tornado.

So, should all affected municipalities work together on this?

I think we should initiate a discussion in the Podluží region and start talking together about the landscape plan and the approach to it. We must give an impetus to the surrounding municipalities that the time has finally come for this.

And then you tell me that you are not a leader...

No, I'm really speaking for us! We are already taking some steps to bring this topic up. We've also bitten on this in relation to the emerging adaptation strategy. In the climate managers training, we talk about lot about it with colleagues and planning activities to kick it off.

About the ELCA CPM training:
In Podluží, Moravia, and Timisoara and surroundings (Romania), local climate groups will gain knowledge to support sustainable environmental and climate policies and behaviours in their communities. Our capacity-building programme provides comprehensive knowledge, concepts, and tools for local climate governance.
More informations: https://www.euki-elca.net/activities/climate-protection-manager#climate-protection-management-training-cpm-training-