Olomouc flood protection, Czechia

The two-stage competition – organised by the Centre for Central European Architecture (CCEA MOBA) – will select a team to deliver a comprehensive urban flood defences solution for the historic settlement which is located on the Morava River around 61km northeast of Brno.

The project aims to deliver a strategic and ‘thoughtful’ system to protect the built up central area of Olomouc which has suffered from significant flash flooding incidents in the past.  Concepts will be expected to reflect the ‘changing landscape and urban character of the area.’

According to the brief: ‘The aim of the competition is not only to increase the protection of property and safety of Olomouc residents but also to develop a vision of the city for its future development.

‘The flood protection improvements should not consist in a mere increase of the existing walls and dykes, but in a comprehensive concept of the river space in the city. This should divert large amounts of water, allow recreation for the city's residents, and also include the return of natural features to the watercourse environment and its surroundings.’

Founded in 1107 – Olomouc is a historic city of around 100,000 residents. Local landmarks include the UNESCO World Heritage-protected Holy Trinity Column and the Baroque-style Hradisko Monastery.

Key aims of the latest project include creating a flood defences along the left and right bank of the Morava River upstream all the way to its confluence with the Trusovický brook, creating flood defences downstream to the Olomouc-Praha railway line and creating a closing dam between Černovir and Hejčín with a floodgate on the Mlýnský Brook.

Judges will include Jitka Trevisan, founder of office trevisan atelier+; Zuzana Jančovičová, senior landscape architect at the City of Amsterdam; Antonín Tůma, director of the Morava river catchment area; and Miroslav Žbánek, mayor of the City of Olomouc.

The overall winner will receive a £24,100 (700,000 CZK) prize while a second prize of  £17,400 (500,000 CZK) and third prize of £12,200 (350,000 CZK) will also be awarded.