Is the world dreaming our dreams: Landscape and flood protection in Velvary

The LIFE WILL - Water in Landscapes and Soils project deals with drought and the effects of climate change on landscapes and increases their resilience. In cooperation with municipalities, citizens, farmers and other players, it aims to introduce nature-friendly measures. Two years ago, Radim Wolák—an enthusiastic mayor who is so popular that Velvary residents have reelected him three times—brought his village into the LIFE WILL project.

Why did he decide to cooperate on the LIFE WILL project, how does he evaluate the cooperation today, and what does he hope for in the years to come?

How did you come to be mayor?

I didn't plan to be mayor at all; it just came naturally. We had lived in Velvary for a few years. Together with friends from the Natvrdlí association (referring to the Velvary hard-boiled-egg tradition), we got involved in a discussion about the future use of the Malovarský Pond area. This former swimming pool had served the locals in the past and was now in danger of falling into private hands. At that time, we came across the project "The Place Where We Live" by the VIA Foundation, which offered exactly what we needed—to guide the community through a public discussion about the future shape of a place, to allocate money for the implementation, and most importantly to give guidance on how to agree. We tried to apply, and I went around to all the local associations and organisations. I wanted us to find common ground; then, I had the opportunity to coordinate the public planning process. I just started talking to everybody, found out they were very nice, and I started to enjoy it.

What was it like then?

It was a wonderful time. Many people came together, older people, younger people, everybody was interested. The VIA Foundation guided us through the process; we agreed on how we wanted to do it, and then the brigades started. We started to transform the spaces with our own hands with people from all over the city. I like to remember it; miracles happened. And then, the former mayor, who was already looking for a successor, noticed me and suggested that I run as the next mayor. And you see how it turned out? I'm now in my tenth year as mayor.

Do you still enjoy it like you did at the beginning?

I enjoy it more because, at the beginning, I was like in Jiřík's vision. I didn't know where to jump first, what to do, and how to do it. Today, I know a little bit better which way to go, but I'm the same with the time. There are so many things one would like to do that one would skip! But for now, I'm jumping for joy.

The landscape behind the town is not ideal; flood defences are needed

Have you been working on the landscape around Velvary for a long time?

A long time. Velvary is situated in a landscape that has been cultivated for so long that it is already quite visible: most of the greenery is in the town, in the parks around the perimeter of the village, then it disappears just behind the hills and opens up wide fields and meadows. These used to be waterlogged, often swampy, but our ancestors drained the water and straightened the streams. That was understandable then, but now, because of climate change, we need it the other way around. And so we are trying.

Because the elements threaten you?

Yes, you are. Because of the nature of the landscape, which now holds almost nothing, we are dangerously vulnerable to flash floods. That's why we had a flood prevention master plan drawn up years ago. There are already quite a few proposals for transforming the landscape. Together with the Povodí Vltavy organization and the surrounding municipalities, we had a study of the drainage conditions of the Bakovský Brook drawn up, which showed us some of the routes we could take.

Another essential resource for us was a feasibility study of full-scale water retention in the Velvary area, which we had prepared using the Living Landscape method. In an effort to learn as much as possible about possible approaches to landscape remediation, I was trained by the Living Water Association as a local coordinator. With volunteers, they mapped the area and had two feasibility studies prepared—one focused on the local part of Ješín and the other on the Svodnice catchment. This area historically threatens Velvary with high water because it is a funnel area of about 12 km2, all drained into one pipe under the town. Moreover, it is almost devoid of vegetation.

A reality full of obstacles

And then you decided to join the LIFE WILL project?

We were in a situation where we had all the theoretical groundwork for what to do, but no realistic prospects for how to make it happen. In Velvary, we planted trees along the dirt roads with volunteers. We took care of the landscape around Malovary Pond, but it would have taken a lot more.

But there are obstacles in the way...

The town owns no land in the flood risk area of Svodnice, and there is no digitised map system of the area, so it is not very easy to determine the boundaries of the individual land blocks. Several farmers are operating on the land of multiple owners. We decided to take it as a challenge – having an ideal ideal plan but minimal chances to implement it. That's why we were looking for a opportunity to check whether our plans were feasible and this is where LIFE WILL comes in the picture. We like the fact that it's a project where everyone talks to everyone; it's based on cooperation with farmers, with owners, and with the public.

So, you expect LIFE WILL to implement long-term plans?

Originally, my main promise was to check whether the plans we have made in the past years are feasible or whether they are just dreams. I was particularly interested, generally speaking, in whether the feasibility study that has been prepared is feasible. In the course of the programme's implementation, for various reasons, People in Need withdrew from the project. Together, we started to look for measures that are feasible in the area in agreement with all the actors.

What kind of implementation do you hope for in the landscape? What do you like?

My dream, which has been confirmed by all the studies that have been carried out, would be to plant the Svodnice springs and create a forest there. This was done in the 18th century by Florian Mikulovsky, the mayor of Velvary. It is the only forest for miles around, but it makes a significant contribution to the diversity of the landscape.

You can't build a relationship with the landscape through a car window

The Velvary part of the project is still in the preparation phase. However, concrete measures are already taking shape in neighbouring Neuměřice. How will they affect Velvary?

In relation to Neuměřice, we are now mainly planning to renew the road network so that we can visit each other better. I believe that when people get into the countryside, they become more connected to it and more interested in looking after it. If you only see it from a car passing by, it's not the same. From a safety point of view, I would like to see measures to reduce the threat to the town from flash flooding—i.e. water retention in the Svodnice riverbed and perhaps a polder in the lower part of the catchment—implemented in the first phase.

How do residents perceive the landscaping plans?

Some are excited, others are doubtful. The main problem is that the Svodnice area is not a walking landscape to the town. Otherwise, it would have been planned. We have had the experience that dozens of people were involved in planning planting and landscaping around Malovary Pond, but that was because it was a landscape they related to, it was within easy reach, they go for walks there, they grew up there.

So the Svodnice catchment area is unattractive to locals?

It's an arid, windy place, separated from the town by a busy road. It's not even walkable. That makes it harder for the public to connect with it. So the landscaping plans are viewed with interest by the public, who are interested in the subject of landscape remediation and water retention. However, there is also a great deal of scepticism because few people can imagine that this inhospitable area could be changed so that anyone could relate to it more.

When people talk to each other, they get along

What kind of feedback did you get from the participatory workshop? Did it meet your expectations?

I was pleased that many people came to the workshop. The section of the public that has been interested in the topic for a long time and participates in events focused on it—both theoretically and practically—came as well. It is very pleasing that after all the years we have been working on the topic, these people have not lost their interest and belief that we can help the landscape. Consider that the introduction of the flood control master plan took place 10 years ago, and we have been continuously reassessing other studies.

But you have already implemented a number of things, haven't you?

It's true that in the meantime, we have planted hundreds of trees and shrubs, developed a wetland project, repaired the pond embankment, and greened-up the town's surroundings. However, in terms of "big plans", these are still only partial measures. The fact that I see people believing that we can help such a large area to be a good place for farmers, animals, and greenery, to hold water, not to threaten the town, and maybe even become a place for walking makes me very happy. At the same time, however, I am also a little worried that we should not raise too many expectations that things will move forward quickly. It will be a slow journey, but I believe we will get somewhere positive.

Do you see the LIFE WILL project as an opportunity for the whole region? Would other regions of Kladno need such work?

I would say that every effort (especially in our region) counts. And I think that if we manage to do something with a piece of land on Svodnice, which is very problematic, it could be done everywhere. I am an optimist ─ I believe that if people talk to each other, they will get along.

The LIFE WILL - Water in Landscapes and Soils project addresses the issue of drought and the impact of climate change on the landscape. It is co-financed by the LIFE programme - a financial instrument of the European Union supporting projects that increase the biodiversity of the landscape or its resilience to climate change and the Ministry of the Environment of the Czech Republic. It aims to increase the resilience of people and agricultural landscapes to climate change through the introduction of nature-based adaptation measures at the local level. We are implementing this objective using an innovative participatory methodology that helps to increase the involvement of local actors and the public and their ability to advocate for effective water retention measures in the soil and landscape.