In the Poruba district, senior citizens make up about a quarter of the population. The challenge is to provide them with adequate and modern housing with accessible social services.
The project aimed to build accessible rental housing and to make the Dělnická Street site more attractive. It involved the complete reconstruction of the building on Dělnická Street into a residential home for the elderly with care services and premises used as a municipal police station, café and garage.
Local
Czechia
The Moravian-Silesian Region
Mainly urban
It refers to a physical transformation of the built environment (hard investment)
Yes
CF : Cohesion Fund
Delnicka 411 building reconstruction on to senior housing estate CO 02-04 (CZ.05.1.24/0.0/0.0/20_144/0014120).
Operational Programme Environment 2014-2020 supported by the Cohesion Fund - 144th call of the Ministry of Environment (Czech Republic).
The project was completed and the subsidy was received in 2022.
No
Yes
2021-08-11
As a representative of an organization, in partnership with other organisations
Name of the organisation(s): Statutární město Ostrava - městský obvod Poruba Type of organisation: Public authority (European/national/regional/local) First name of representative: Lucie Last name of representative: Baránková Vilamová Gender: Female Nationality: Czechia Function: The Mayor Address (country of permanent residence for individuals or address of the organisation)<br/>Street and number: Klimkovická 55/28 Town: Ostrava-Poruba Postal code: 70856 Country: Czechia Direct Tel:+420 777 529 805 E-mail:ltesnarova@moporuba.cz Website:https://poruba.ostrava.cz/cs
The project aimed to build barrier-free rental housing for the elderly and to make the area around Dělnická Street more attractive. The project is part of one of the flagship projects of the Poruba Strategic Development Plan 2018-2023 with a view to 2030.
The Municipal District of Poruba purchased an older building at 411 Dělnická Street for the establishment of a nursing home. This is the oldest residential area in Poruba, which was built shortly after the Second World War. The site has excellent potential, and a home for the elderly should be one of the steps to uplift the area. The municipal police station and the continuously built CCTV system should then significantly increase security in the area.
In the first phase, the renovated house offered 23 (2plusKK) apartments. Each of them has a living area of 42m2. The building also includes a reception with facilities and a lounge for gatherings. The flats are primarily intended for senior couples who are self-sufficient in basic life tasks but need help or care of another person for some tasks due to their age or health condition.
In the second phase of the revitalisation, relaxation zones were built - a resting atrium with plenty of greenery, seating areas and play and exercise elements. The adjacent single-storey buildings serve as a café and a municipal police station. Garages were also provided to meet the needs of the residents.
The project included the implementation of a green roof to improve rainwater management, climatic conditions and dust reduction. A parking lot of grassed paving was created to permeate rainwater.
The nursing home is named Harmonie, which the residents of the Poruba district chose.
Space for people: it is based on one of the priorities of the Strategic Development Plan of the Poruba Urban District 2018-2023 with a view to 2030 - improving the quality of housing and the aesthetics of public spaces, increasing safety in the area.
Supporting the elderly: focusing on the target group of residents who are among the most vulnerable; providing care services for those who, due to their age or health condition, need the help or care of another person.
Harmony: combining functionality with the name - the balance between the historic site and the modern complex, between urban development and green spaces, and between the elderly and the socially vulnerable living in the area.
Adaptation measures: rainwater management, reduction of energy consumption of the building, increase of green areas in the development and the resulting benefits (cooling of the environment, reduction of dust, etc.).
Dělnická site: transformation of a long-standing problematic (excluded) site in the centre of the Poruba district.
The entire design of Harmonie Nursing Home was conceived with low energy consumption, proper rainwater management and long-term sustainability in mind.
A significant step in terms of sustainability was the retention of the disused building itself and the overall reduction in its energy performance, which was reduced from the original 'F - very wasteful' to 'B - very efficient'.
An important part of the project and an important adaptation element to climate change is the so-called green roof. The green roof combines several functions: improving the microclimate of the building's roof envelope, protecting the roof waterproofing, and increasing thermal resistance while eliminating temperature differences in the roof structure. The roof can capture rainwater and, by evaporating the collected water through the leaves of the plants, it cools and humidifies its surroundings. It, therefore, minimises the negative impact of climate change on the indoor comfort of the building and as such also acts as a natural ecological air conditioner by cooling the building and humidifying the surrounding air. The green roof is also a habitat in itself, attracting a variety of small animals and thus contributing to greater biodiversity.
Within the building, an atrium was hollowed out in the centre of the building to serve as a resting place. Here, trees and shrubs were planted, paved areas were designed with rainwater permeability in mind and a water feature was added. This works based on the circulation pump of the sand filtration station, using the same water all the time.
Part of the reconstruction of the building and its surroundings was the adjacent parking lot, which was made of grassy paving that lets rainwater through.
The use of available technologies with an emphasis on climate change adaptation can be a very good example of good practice for other municipalities or private investors. The project shows that partial steps can be taken under acceptable financial conditions.
Before the actual reconstruction of the existing building, an architectural study was carried out by Atelier 38. The aim was not only to restore the functionality of the building itself but also to create an architecturally and aesthetically high-quality building in which future tenants, visitors and all users would feel comfortable.
Aesthetic quality goes hand in hand with the sustainability of the whole building, as the aforementioned green roof, visible from the surrounding buildings, is not only a functional element but also a visually and aesthetically very effective component of the whole building. The atrium itself is also an important part of this and has been designed to be visually interesting not only from a visitor's point of view but also from a bird's eye view.
The atrium combines many functions where tenants and visitors (especially seniors) can meet and form social bonds. They can also spend their time actively: working out on the fitness machines, walking along the paths created, sitting or cooling off on hot summer days under the pergola or by the water feature - the fountain - and enjoying the planted greenery.
The interior of the building has also been designed so that the individual tenants can make the most of the functionality of both the residential units and the non-residential spaces, while at the same time making the interior environment aesthetically pleasing.
An interesting aesthetic element is a uniform design - the petal motive used on balconies and garage doors. This motive was also the inspiration for the Harmonie nursing home's logo.
The overall refurbishment of the building has resulted in a significant improvement to the surrounding area.
The suitability of the project for other municipalities or private investors lies in the combination of design and high functionality.
The Poruba Municipality is aware of the general trend of an ageing population, which is why social housing is part of the Strategic Development Plan of the Poruba Municipality 2018-2023 with a view to 2030. Specifically, it falls under the "Space for People" priority, which emphasises the quality of housing and public spaces. Citizens and key stakeholders of MOb Poruba participated in the development of the Strategic Plan. Citizens were actively involved in choosing the name of the nursing home, and the name "Harmony" won the vote.
Providing the missing modern housing for the elderly with accessible care services was thus one of the most important projects of the district, while the location of the nursing home itself played an important role. The nursing home is located in Dělnická Street, an area with a long history of problems and social exclusion. Dělnická Street is located in the centre of the Poruba district, with good access to infrastructure, and the district is therefore trying to make a long-term investment in the area and integrate local residents, who are defined as socially vulnerable, into the life of the district.
The project, therefore, has two important factors at stake: firstly, to provide seniors with quality municipal housing without social exclusion, while at the same time reducing the sense of loneliness of individual seniors and their social isolation. The second factor is the improvement of the public space in an excluded area.
Also, due to the rising cost of rental housing, the Poruba Municipality aims to provide affordable housing for seniors, thereby avoiding a vigorous reduction in their standard of living.
The project can be an important example and guide for other municipalities, as it brings together important social issues and creates concrete solutions to social problems.
The Poruba Municipal District has prepared the Strategic Development Plan of the Poruba Municipal District 2018-2023 with a view to 2030, in the creation of which citizens and important stakeholders of the district participated. The nursing home project falls under the "Space for People" priority, which emphasises the quality of housing and the quality of public spaces, and is also part of the train project "Transformation of the Dělnická locality".
The preparation of the project involved several departments of the Poruba Municipality. A team of experts was involved in the development of the entire project, from the architectural study through the design preparation to the actual implementation. The project preparation included not only the reconstruction of the building but also a systematic plan for the aesthetic and functional placement of adaptive elements, with an emphasis on greenery.
The public was kept informed throughout the design and implementation process through all communication platforms (website, social networks, town hall newsletter). Citizens were able to take a virtual tour on the Matterport server, which is still available today, even before the opening of the house.
The citizens were actively involved in choosing the name of the nursing home. "Harmonie" won the vote.
The local level is represented by the main idea and objective of the project, which is the provision of affordable rental housing for elderly people in the Poruba district. This level also represents the multidisciplinary team of experts involved in the entire preparation and implementation of the project.
At the regional level, the Development Strategy of the Moravian-Silesian Region 2019-2027 is respected. Its strategic goal is "a healthier and more cohesive region".
The state level plays an important role here, as the Dělnická site falls within the urban conservation zone defined by the Ministry of Culture in accordance with the Ministry of Culture Decree No. 108/2003 Coll. of 1 April 2003 on the declaration of areas of historical environment in selected towns and villages as conservation zones and determining the conditions for their protection. Thus, the project had to respect the parameters and standards of a conservation zone according to this decree.
The project also overlaps with the European level. In 2021, an application for a grant for green roofs was submitted under the 144th call of the Ministry of the Environment within the framework of the Operational Programme for the Environment. This call was co-financed by the Cohesion Fund. The project was selected for funding, which reflects the high quality of the project design and demonstrates the use of modern trends in urban ecology.
Experts across several fields were involved in the design and implementation of the project.
The first step was to identify a site and location for the building to be constructed or renovated. The Department of Housing and Building Management of the Poruba Municipal District Office was particularly involved in this process. According to expert opinion, the most suitable solution was to reconstruct the dilapidated building on Dělnická Street.
The next step was to prepare an architectural study that would preserve the rough structure of the existing building while adding an innovative and aesthetically pleasing character.
For the project preparation itself, a professional firm was selected, which, together with experts from the Poruba Municipal District Office, sought a specific solution not only for the reconstruction itself but especially for the placement of all functional elements. Experts in the fields of architecture, civil engineering, geology, water management, energy, greenery, interior and exterior design, security, IT and many others were involved in the project preparation.
Another department within the Poruba Municipal District Office that was involved in the implementation of this project was the Social Department. The social dimension is crucial to the project, addressing the issues of the elderly and the socially excluded locality.
A multidisciplinary team of experts was involved throughout the preparation and implementation of the project, and their close cooperation created significant synergies.
The reconstruction of a dilapidated building into barrier-free rental housing for elderly citizens in a problematic and socially excluded locality contributed to a long-term plan to make the area more attractive. The project also aimed to reduce the effects of segregation in the area and increase the socialisation of vulnerable groups.
The renovation of the building is also an example of how functionality can be combined with a pleasant and beautiful environment.
The nursing home offers services that are tailored to the specific needs of the tenants, who must be approached sensitively and their specific needs in terms of comfort and protection. An example of this is the daycare service.
It brings together different age and social groups, for example by actively spending leisure time on the premises, establishing new social links, etc.
The project emphasises maintaining the living standards of seniors who have not been dependent on the help of another person and focuses on the needs of individuals and groups.
A unique project was created by combining two specific issues. A modern home for the elderly has been created through the unique use of functional adaptive elements and an aesthetically pleasing environment.
By locating the project in a socially excluded area, it was possible to break down the barriers of the area and create the opportunity for new social links between the elderly and socially vulnerable residents.
The use of green measures responded to the growing need to adapt to climate change. These solutions are not standard for projects of this type and the project becomes an interesting example. It shows that the combination of all key elements can work harmoniously.
In most similar projects, an architectural study is not carried out prior to the start of project preparation. Our project has thus become an example of good practice for the future implementation of similar projects.
By implementing the project, the Poruba Municipal District accentuates the issues of ageing and excluded localities, which every city or municipality deals with. It demonstrates the importance of these issues and their inclusion in local strategic and long-term plans and priorities.
The project could serve as an example for other municipalities or private investors to focus on the most vulnerable target groups, which are not only the elderly but also, for example, the disabled.
The project was aimed at one of the weakest target groups, which are the elderly and at providing care services to those who, due to age or health condition, need the help or care of another person. The nursing home was built in a long-term problematic and socially excluded locality. The idea behind the project was to include not only the elderly but also residents, who are defined as socially vulnerable, in the life of the district.
The renovation of a dilapidated building has created a space that is not only aesthetically pleasing but also significantly enhances the value of the whole area. Not only the nursing home is an important feature, but also the creation of meeting places for different age groups, the café and atrium. The atrium is an inviting and pleasant place where residents and visitors can spend their leisure time in an active and meaningful way.
Design goes hand in hand with sustainability. Our project is designed to combine both functions. The green roof, for example, aids rainwater management through its ability to retain and slowly release water. The planted greenery then cools the surroundings and reduces dust. The whole building was designed in a very energy-efficient mode.
The project thus lived up to its name "Harmonie", with all three key objectives complementing and building on each other harmoniously. The idea of combining social inclusion, a high level of aesthetics and sustainability was fulfilled beyond expectations.
The project responds to two major global challenges: the ageing population and adaptation to climate change.
Senior citizens make up about a quarter of the population in the Poruba district, and their number is set to increase in the future, so they are a very important group of people. One of the tasks of the district was therefore to provide them with adequate and modern housing with social services that are accessible to them. A disused building in a socially marginalised area in the heart of the Poruba district was deliberately chosen for this purpose. In this way, two major problems - the lack of adequate housing for the elderly and the transformation of the Dělnická locality - were effectively addressed in a single project.
Dealing with the effects of climate change is a major social challenge. The Poruba Municipality, as a representative of the public administration, has long sought to set an example for other municipalities or private investors by including various adaptation measures in all its projects. In the nursing home, rainwater management measures such as a green roof, permeable surfaces in the car park and atrium, and systematic planting were used. In addition, the energy consumption of the renovated building has been significantly reduced.
