Long-term planning for a new home for the elderly in Litomyšl required reliable protection of the site from floods. After several studies and consideration of various options, the designers settled on a system of drainage channels built into the slope rather than a traditional large reservoir. This solution addressed two tasks at once: it protected residential buildings and the new social facility from destructive floods and at the same time gave the town a living park. The park is an example of how technical solutions can be implemented without significant intervention in the environment.
The path of adaptation
Positive impact
When planning the construction of the new home for the elderly in Litomyšl, the authors simultaneously took care to protect the area from floods and erosion. After a detailed analysis of the site and a risk assessment, they developed a plan with nature-based measures. The key element is a system of five ditches on the slope above the planned building. The basis for protecting the area from floods and erosion was a cascade system of five ditches (biodrainage swales) laid out on the slope above the future building. The ditches retain water and prevent uncontrolled runoff, reducing the risk of erosion. The area was covered with grass and planted with trees and shrubs – this improved the soil’s ability to retain moisture and enriched biodiversity. In addition to flood protection, the project gave local residents a new recreation area.
How does it work?
Before the works began, a detailed analysis was carried out: the volumes of water runoff and the degree of erosion risk were determined. Based on the studies, a water-retention concept was developed – a system of five ditches capable of holding more than 4,000 m³ of water. Laid out along the contour lines of the slope, they retain water and gradually release it to the lower areas, avoiding uncontrolled runoff.
The grassy ditches cross the slope in several places, effectively holding back erosion. The park was enriched with 90 deciduous trees, 186 fruit trees and 500 shrubs – this noticeably increased its biodiversity and aesthetic value. Classic varieties of cherry, plum and apple were planted: the fruit will be available to residents. Play equipment, benches and acacia chairs were also installed in the park, making it a cosy place to relax.
Thanks to these measures, the area is reliably protected from flooding and erosion and is gradually turning into a pleasant place for residents of Litomyšl and the town’s guests to relax. As the vegetation grows, the park will create a favourable microclimate and bring other benefits too.
The starting situation
Before the project was implemented, this area was vulnerable to floods. Water flooded residential buildings on Zdeněk Kopal Street, located below the slope. There was no drainage system here at all, and the cause of the regular flooding was large-scale surface runoff from the farmland located higher up the slope. This unregulated flow was directed straight into the city sewer, whose capacity was not designed for such critical volumes. Since the home for the elderly was planned precisely at this vulnerable point — in the lower part of the catchment — creating a reliable flood-protection system became a mandatory technical condition of the whole project.
Care
Caring for the park is no different from caring for similar open natural spaces. The predominant part is meadows, which are maintained as flowering fields. Mosaic mowing is practised. Care for the planted trees is also provided for by the project. Further maintenance is the responsibility of Litomyšl town council.
Why this measure was chosen
The initial design envisaged a traditional reservoir, for which a high dam would have had to be built and large-scale earthworks carried out. However, the town was not satisfied with such a solution because of its lack of architectural and aesthetic value. The decision to create a system of ditches and a recreational park proved more expedient.
Challenges and obstacles
The main task was to organise flood protection carefully and innovatively – with a nature-based approach. Practically no serious obstacles arose: the town of Litomyšl was an exemplary investor.
Experience and dissemination
The project in Litomyšl is a benchmark example of how to provide reliable flood protection without using traditional “grey” engineering structures and measures. The Zdeněk Kopal Park became a source of inspiration for other communities, proving the importance of seeking alternatives: clients always have a choice between a standard technical solution and a more harmonious optimisation of space.
Although the park has been operating relatively recently, it has already become a popular location for residents to relax. The project requires minimal operating costs, limited only to standard landscape care.
Cost
In total, 5,444,166 Czech crowns were allocated from the “Environmental Protection” programme and the budget of the town of Litomyšl.