A Call for Change: The Struggles of a Small Town in the Face of Modern Challenges
In the seven years I've lived in this town, I've witnessed a disheartening trend. The local municipality, instead of embracing innovation and progress, seems to be exhausting its resources looking for reasons not to change. This stagnation is evident in several areas, from waste management to local business development.
One of the most pressing issues is waste disposal. Despite the growing need for sustainable waste management solutions, the municipality has made no significant changes to collection or recycling. Instead, they've applied to expand the waste towards the sky, as the filled land area has reached its capacity. This short-term solution does nothing to address the root of the problem.
The use of public funds is another area of concern. I've seen a building, closed to the public for years, receive a new roof. This building, once used for municipal dance functions, seems to be of little interest to the younger generation, who are more inclined towards modern forms of entertainment. Meanwhile, taxpayer money was used for the demolition of council-owned property, all in the name of aesthetics to enhance the environment around the local castle. Both these properties could have been sold, potentially bringing in revenue for the municipality. Instead, it seems that the local council is prioritizing private interests over public needs, even going so far as to advertise developers' projects on the town's website.
The town's demographic is shifting, with a growing divide between the older population and younger families. Many of the younger generation are leaving to study in Prague, leading to a decrease in the local population. This shift presents new challenges for the municipality, which must find ways to attract and retain younger residents while also catering to the needs of the older population.
Local agriculture is another area that has been overlooked. The land surrounding the town is a valuable resource for small agricultural investments. However, the local farmers' market in Zbiroh is struggling, with potato growers having to come from as far as Moravia. The local coop, privatized after the end of communism, still maintains control over the milk chain, creating a significant barrier for new entrants. This monopoly stifles competition and innovation, preventing local growers from fully realizing their potential. An example of the challenges faced by local farmers is a cheese producer in the area who, despite owning cows, is unable to milk them due to the coop's control over the milk chain. Instead, he is forced to buy milk from the former communist coop to produce his cheeses. This situation not only increases his production costs but also limits his ability to fully utilize his own resources. Furthermore, the municipality does not seem to be taking active steps to address this issue, further hindering the growth and diversification of local agriculture.
Furthermore, the construction of five logistic centres in the vicinity has not only made it harder for local businesses to compete and monopolized the local labour market, but also disrupted the traditional culture and aesthetics of the area. These centres, mostly housing companies that bring goods from Western Europe, repackage them and send them back, contributing little to the local economy while absorbing much of the available workforce and altering the character of the town.
Another pressing issue is housing. In the Czech Republic, only 1 percent of housing stock is subsidized by the state, a dramatic decrease considering that the state controlled all property in 1990. In contrast, in Ireland, 20 percent of the housing stock is subsidized, according to data from the OECD Affordable Housing Database. In Zbiroh, the municipality does own some housing, but these properties can be passed onto the children of inhabitants, rather than being allocated to locals living in marginalized situations. This leaves the most marginalized people dependent on the commercial market for housing, often placing a safe and secure home out of their reach. This is a stark reminder of the need for a more equitable housing policy that ensures everyone, regardless of their situation, has access to affordable housing.
Despite these issues, attempts to engage with the local government have been met with resistance. A recent attempt to discuss waste management with themayor's office was refused, a clear sign of the lack of openness to dialogue and change.
This town, like many others, faces significant challenges. But with these challenges come opportunities for innovation and progress. It's time for the municipality to stop looking for reasons not to change and start exploring the possibilities for a sustainable, prosperous future.