Towards a climate neutral EU:
efficient allocation of EU funds

Narrative

Construction of a permeable parking lot made of gravel paving on Komenského Street in Vítkov. 34 parking spaces and 2 spaces for disabled persons will be created. The project will contribute to a better management of rainwater in the intravilan, where water will naturally soak into the soil and erosion will not occur.

Financial data

The total cost of the project was 1 932 976 CZK (81 696EUR), from which 579 892 CZK (24 508EUR) was paid by EU subsidy and 1 353 083 CZK (57 187EUR) from public resources of the Czech Republic.

Recommendations

While the use of permeable surfaces for paved surfaces is a step in the right direction towards better rainwater management, it is important to critically examine what the role of projects like the construction of a parking lot on Komenského Street in Vítkov have in addressing the larger issue of climate change. Despite being funded from the State environmental fund, the project does not directly contribute to climate change mitigation. Instead, it focuses on managing the effects of climate change, such as erosion and flooding, through a permeable surface. While such measures are essential, it is crucial that funds from the State environmental fund are primarily directed towards projects that directly address the root causes of climate change, such as reducing carbon emissions, promoting renewable energy, and increasing energy efficiency.

Also, the fact of constructiong additional parking spaces is per se contradictiong climate mitigation, as it means a potential increase in transport emissions. International experience show that increasing the number of parking spaces increase traffic, ecnourage more driving, and reduce valuable space. If it is unavoidable to create new parking places, then they should be financed on a market basis, not from public funds.

Furthermore, it is essential to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of the project, considering the high costs associated with its construction and maintenance. A thorough cost-benefit analysis should be conducted to determine if the permeable parking lot is the most efficient and effective use of the State environmental fund's resources.

Information sources

Other info

https://www.dotaceeu.cz/cs/statistiky-a-analyzy/mapa-projektu/projekty/05-operacni-program-zivotni-prostredi/05-1-zlepsovani-kvality-vody-a-snizovani-rizika-po/vystavba-parkoviste-na-ulici-komenskeho