We Held a Meeting on Architecture and Public Space. The Focus Was on the Reconstruction of Hodonín and Public Participation

The meeting was opened by Luboš Veselý, Director of the KKFF Foundation, and Libor Střecha, Mayor of Hodonín. Both emphasized the importance of collaboration between local governments, experts, and the public. City representatives then updated participants on the current status of the area, ongoing projects, and further development plans for Hodonín.

The morning session continued with presentations by architects from the studios PROAM and MAAUS, who addressed the issue of the city’s expanding territory. After lunch, the floor was taken by Maria Gal Tkacova and Morten Kjer Jeppesen from Gehl Architects. The pair presented the studio’s overarching philosophy for creating public spaces, enriched with real‑world examples.

Also engaging was a lecture titled Participation Factory, delivered by Tomáš Rákos. He raised the issue of so‑called “participation washing” – the practice of formally involving the public without giving them real influence over decisions. A compelling presentation was also given by Vojtěch Šurýn, a student and board member of the Czech High School Union, who introduced his proposal for the redevelopment of Hodonín’s railway station.

The final group discussion showed that high‑quality public space is not only the work of architects but also the result of open collaboration with the community.

The KKFF Foundation has long supported projects that bring innovative approaches to shaping urban environments and strengthening dialogue between experts and the public. The meeting in Brno was part of fulfilling a shared vision: transforming cities into places where people feel good – and offering inspiration to others in doing so.