Krnov: A Better Environment for our Town

Abstract:

A programme for local environmental action was conceived for Krnov to mitigate environmental problems created in previous times. The 1989-1991 Eco Plan, developed by the Czech Union for Nature Protection (CUNP) reported on the environmental condition of air, water, soil, green spaces, natural resources, waste and urban development. Environmental considerations were addressed in the context of socio- economic activities - industry, agriculture, transport, energy, recreation and human health. Proposals were shaped for the improvement of the urban environment and quality of life. In Krnov, an educational campaign was launched, based on the Eco Plan to make citizens, town and business representatives sensitive to local environmental problems and the proposals for environmental action.

The key initiative taken by the Krnov town council in support of the Eco Plan was the creation of a new Environmental and Building department which oversees and directs actions addressing a wide-range of environmental issues in Krnov. The department sets policy and defines action for environmental protection in the areas of waste management, air pollution, transport and energy. It approves new construction and oversees general town planning. It is authorised to control local industry's impact on air and water quality and waste of energy. It collaborates with public interest groups and citizens on education and local initiatives and has established an environmental information data base. The department is accountable to the town council and the general public, and has frequent consultations with both.

Background and objectives

The establishment of legitimate open local management institutions is essential for the recovery of the post-communist communities from the ecological legacy of the past.

Among the major management challenges for the municipalities in the transition period is the mitigation of environmental problems left by past regimes. Between 1989 - 1991 the Czech Union for Nature Protection (CUNP) in Krnov developed an Eco Plan for the state of the environment and an educational campaign based on it. It was launched to make citizens, public officials and business representatives sensitive to local environmental problems and interested in proposals for environmental action.

The goal of the programme is to mitigate local environmental problems by establishing a new environmental management department responsible for educating elected and non-elected officials, members of the business community and citizens on approaches to achieve "A Better Environment for Our Town".

Specifically the goals are:

• to reduce the negative impact of former governments' decisions which have damaged the local environment;
• to establish an environmental problem-solving responsibility for the town council;
• to encourage local citizens, public organisations, business enterprises and industry to co- operate in the programme; and
• to implement the chosen activities for environmental improvement of Krnov in its priority areas (water, waste, and air)

Implementation

Project date and status

In 1990, the Krnov town council created a new Environmental and Building department at the municipality with 8 staff members. In 1996, it was restructured into a Town Development Department containing an Environmental Section with 5 staff members and a separate Building Section Department.

Between 1993 - 1997, a number of specific measures were undertaken to increase energy efficiency, reduce harmful emissions from transport, enlarge green spaces, and to institutionalise environmental information for the public.

Activities

After the creation of the new Environmental and Building department, a number of achievements for environmental improvement in Krnov were realised. Some of the most important were as follows:

• expansion of the cultivated green areas;
• closing down and re-cultivation of the municipal waste dump and the opening of a new dump in Holasovice;
• reconstruction of the sewage water treatment plant;
• the reduction of the pollution caused by the heating power station;
• the opening of the Centre for Environmental Analysis for Ecological Education with special "eco-programmes" for school children and adults;
• a competition for citizens in decorating their houses with flowers "Grey and Green" is organised every year; and
• the creation of cycle paths in the Krnov area.

Successful co-operation with some NGOs was initiated and, as a result, a number of projects was developed:

1. CUNP (Czech Union for Nature Protection) made common projects "Green Town". Guidelines for nature protection areas have been made available in the Centre for Environmental Analysis for Ecological Education and meetings of ecological activists have been held;
2. BRONTOSAURUS is a youth organisation focusing on nature protection activities;
3. SOJKA is an organisation that works on nature protection problems related to Jesenik mountains; and
4. BICYCLE DIVISION , which is a sport club (NGO), worked with the Environmental Section at the Municipality to develops cycle paths and other similar activities.

Strategy

As a new initiative, the Krnov town council created a new Environmental Section at the municipal level as a legitimate open local management institution with the remit to set policy, define action for environmental protection and to collaborate with public interest groups and citizens on education and local initiatives. The Section is accountable to the town council and the general public and has frequent consultations with both.

The department's responsibilities encompass air, waste and soil protection, nature conservation, land use, landscape and ecological planning.

Partners

The Eco Plan was developed by the CUNP before 1989 and later the Krnov town council created the new Environmental Section in the Building Department at the municipality. The initiatives of this new structure were brought about with the co-operation of local citizens, through the public and non- governmental organisations - CUNP, BRONTOSAURUS, SOJKA and BICYCLE DIVISION. The NGOs initiated the projects in co-ordination with the Municipality and got financial support for their work from different donor institutions.

Financing and resources used

The Environmental Section and its programmes are financed by the municipal budget, by government subsidies and grants. For example:

• the green areas development was undertaken from the municipal budget at about 80,000 ECUs per year;
• the closing down and re-cultivation of the municipal waste dump and the opening of a new site in Holasovice was undertaken by the neighbouring municipalities and Krnov contributed with about 25,000 ECUs;
• the reconstruction of the sewage water treatment plant was undertaken with a grant from the Czech Ministry of the Environment; and
• the creation of cycle paths in the area was achieved with a financial grant from USAID.

Results and Impacts

Overall, there has been increased interest by the town council in environmental issues and the town council has increased its authority to control local industry:

• energy efficient systems were installed in 30% of the municipal buildings;
• pedestrian zones were created reducing transport emissions in those areas;
• green spaces were increased by 8%;
• community recycling depots were established;
• an interpretative nature trail was built by the Conservationist Union members;
• regular information meetings were held putting the environment on the town's social and political agendas; and
• the idea of an environmental education centre was accepted by the town council and was created.

The following goals are still to be achieved by the year 2000 - greater information dissemination for the public, support for schools, initiatives for local ecological measures, awareness raising about waste management at the schools, participation and co-operation with NGOs in current problem-solving of environmental issues.

Barriers and conflicts

Some of the problems during the project's implementation were:

• financial - there were difficulties in finding funding for the transport study, to introduce recycling technologies in Krnov, and in preparing a concept for energy conservation; and
• difficulties in achieving co-operation and feedback on the projects between the citizens and administrators in the Town Hall.

Lessons learned and transferability

A small group of enthusiastic and persistent professionals, dedicated to the cause of a better environment for their town, can make a significant contribution to institutional reform due to their spirit of co-operation and willingness to learn from the experience of others.

Good collaboration with NGOs and consultants stimulated the work of the Environmental Section and facilitated the successful completion of the projects.

An important part of project implementation was the focus on education of different citizens' groups and administrators.

The role of the NGOs was strong to involve and motivate different citizens groups, including children, to work for environmental improvement in the town. The NGOs could also receive funding for project implementation which helped the realisation of the Eco Plan.

The role of the Czech Ministry of the Environment was also significant as it supported the implementation of different components of the Eco plan by means of grants.

Source of Information

ICLEI, (1993), Local Initiatives, ICLEI Members in Action, 1991-92, Toronto

ICLEI, Guide to Environmental Management for Local Authorities in Central and Eastern Europe, Volume 3, Institutional Conditions.

Contact:

Cities:

Krnov:

The population of Krnov is 26,000 and the land area is 44.4 sq. km. The last parts of the Nizky Jesenik Mountains end near Krnov and they merge in the periphery of the Silesian Lowlands. The city is located between 350-588 metres above sea level. There are mixed and coniferous woods around the city. The climate is mild, with an average of 8^oC.

The major economic activities undertaken in Krnov are - textile machinery industry and metal industry, production of furniture, agricultural production with food processing and exporting. Recently, different small businesses have become active. Another local product is musical instruments, classical organs, which are famous in Europe.

Population:

Project was added at 19.06.1998
Project was changed at 19.06.1998

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