Are you the next Citizen of 2043?
The future of Integration into Czechia.
Focusing on cultural integration Of third country nationals And envisioning the next Czechia.
Foreword
This semester the school embarked on a very different kind of brief where instead of creating a design for a specified plot, the students were asked to envision a new Czechia. In light of the new presidency and a change of leadership the country- with all of its history- is at a turn of history and looking forward to a new initiative.
The goal is to research an aspect of the country that is personal to you and develop a design approach through and with an established base of research. Students will create three sections of: graphs and maps comparing the country’s rankings, observations, and then the design and impact of the proposal. Each of these parts builds a narrative that should push the boundaries of what Czechia is today and envision a transformed identity of Czechia.
This brief was created with Winy Maasco founder of MVRDV. Through The Why Factory, and cross-country collaboration of different architecture universities, students will answer this brief and the outcome will be a nation-wide book of solutions by the next generation of architects. The brief is based off of MVRDVs and The Why Factory’s Manifest 13, “Grand Puzzle”, of Marseilles, where student from the locality participated in a workshop focusing on the same categories as above. The final outcome was a 1200 page inter-disciplinary research study of the urban potential of Marseilles.
Data comparison and learning about the Czech Republic
Map Comparison
Timeline of events, experiences, and occurrences. The shift and on the people.
Brief and introduction
Case Studies Ukraine and Syria
Eu Comparison
Case studies comparisons Sweden/Austria
Observations
Research beginnings & Questions
Examples of implementation
Implementation plan and reasoning
Breakdown of integration method and theory
Impact And Conclusion
Interview
‘Looking through the lens of Integration And the People’
Housing Concept Idea
H o w s h o u l d C z e c h i a p l a n t o s h a p e a n d g r o w their cities with the incorporation of multi-ethnic diversity?
like with an increasing number of immigrants and emigrants?
With the increasing ease of accessibility to immigrate to foreign countries, there is a new mixed generation on the rise. A generation that holds more than one passport, relates and comes from multiple cultures, and redefines what it means to be from a certain country. Although this is never new, we are in an era where branding yourself and creating an identity speaks for what you stand for. What does the next generation, the next era, of “Czechs”, look like?
I want to research the future of Czechia and what the backgrounds of its people will look like. Research into cities, towns, and how the culture can open up to emigrants increasing in cities through cultural integration. I will look at the history of Czechia and its former historical connections, the current relations with countries, refugee intake, and challenging cultural integration methods.
From the Austro-Hungarian to Czechia
End of the Hapsburg Dynasty
During the Hapsburg Dynasty the Czech lands were very multicultural. It was one of the few times that Czechs were considered as a large portion of immigrants within the empire. During this time many families would travel to the capital or centerVienna. The end of the Hapsburg Dynasty resulted in Czechoslovakia.
Resistance movement to fight against the German occupation.
Communist Regime
These are the first years of the country forming its own identity not long before gaining independence.
Immigrants from Yugoslavia came to Czech Republic in the early days of independence.
At this point, Czechs might have had their own identity, but it was always covered by a foreigner ruler or leader.
During the communist regime in Czechoslovakia, Czechoslovaks experienced strict government control, limited freedom of speech and expression, and a centralized economy. The regime’s policies led to political repression, surveillance, and economic challenges, shaping the daily lives and aspirations of the people during that time.
Velvet Revolution
Empire to Czechoslovakia
The EU Sustainability Goals, established goals by setting targets and indicators in areas such as climate action, clean energy, sustainable consumption, and social equality, to provide a road-map for policymakers, businesses, and individuals to work collectively towards a more sustainable and inclusive Europe.
Sustainability Goals
During the early 1990s, following the conclusion of the Cold War, the European Union (EU) entered into Association Agreements with numerous central and eastern European nations. The objective was to promote trade liberalization, establish frameworks for political dialogue, and align national laws and regulations with those of the EU. Once Czech Republic joined the economy and tourism grew in the country.
Some of the countries that pushed back the hardest to EU refugee policies were the post socialist countriesHungary, Poland, Slovakia, and Czech Republic.
475,000 Asylum seekers found refuge in Czechia from Ukraine (January 2023 statistics)
Research beginnings and questions
As I started my research, I came across many interesting headlines and captivating pictures that grabbed my attention. These images and words struck a chord with me. They included important terms related to immigration, which is complex and multifaceted. These terms cover various interconnected factors that shape immigration policies, societal views, and the experiences of individuals and communities. They are thrown out there to begin to question how these words have an impact on immigration and other aspects of our society, such as culture, economy, politics, and human rights. Understanding these key words is crucial for comprehending the intricate dynamics of immigration and its wide-ranging effects; which was part of what sparked my curiosity to research more.
economics
Data comparisonrankings, maps, and observations
The purpose of including data comparison rankings in this project is to help students gain a deeper understanding of Czechia by placing the country’s position in the context of the European Union. The research involved consulting multiple reliable sources, with many of the specific rankings sourced from Eurostat.
Each of the rankings presented sheds light on specific issues or opportunities that Czechia faces. For example: when a country ranks lower in terms of CO2 pollution, it serves as an example for other countries to learn from and improve upon their own methods. Similarly, a high unemployment rate indicates that residents are grappling with job scarcity and have a poor economy.
In my exploration of areas that influence Czechia’s emigration and integration patterns, I delved into employment rates, old-age dependency projections, the ease of attaining citizenship, and the emigration rates compared to its neighboring countries.
During the initial workshop, reviewing data comparisons from fellow students allowed me to examine additional factors that piqued my curiosity about Czechia’s overall standing. These factors ranged from sports and private institutions to the number of prostitution centers and more. It was enlightening to observe how the country holds positions across various categories and datasets, providing insights beyond the surface level.
In the case of Czechia, I have identified five key datasets that collectively contribute to a narrative depicting how the country is evolving and the opportunities it presents.
CZ is....Emigration
Projected old-age dependency ratio 2040
Units:
Old-age dependency ratio 1st variant (population 65 years or over to population 15 to 64 years)
If a country has a low projected old-age dependency ratio, it means that the proportion of older population (typically defined as individuals aged 65 and over) relative to the working-age population (typically defined as individuals aged 15 to 64) is relatively small or expected to decrease in the future.
The old-age dependency ratio is a demographic indicator that measures the potential burden on the working-age population to support and provide for the older population. A low oldage dependency ratio indicates that there are relatively fewer older people in comparison to the working-age population.
https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/databrowser/ view/tps00200/default/table?lang=en
A low projected old-age dependency ratio can have several implications:
1. Potential workforce strength
2. Reduced strain on social security and healthcare systems
3. Potential challenges for social support systems
It’s worth noting that the old-age dependency ratio is a projected indicator and subject to change based on various factors, including birth rates, life expectancy, and migration patterns.
CZ is....Emigration Region Capitals with highest foreign residents 2021
1. In order of largest to smallest number of foreign residents (darkest to lightest)
2. From 2011 to 2021
These regions have had the highest growth in foreigners in the past 10 years. The darker regions have a larger number of foreign residents compared to the lighter regions.
CZ is....Emigration Accommodation Centers
1. This map shows the accommodation centers.
2. Organized by The Administration of Refugee Facilities of the Ministry of the Interior (SUZ MV)
These accommodation centers are used to host applicants who have passed the entry procedures for the remainder of their application for international protection. These centers have facilities for children, libraries, tea rooms, playgrounds, and sports equipments.
CZ is....Emigration Integration Asylum Centers
1. This map shows the different Integration Asylum centers.
2. Organized by The Administration of Refugee Facilities of the Ministry of the Interior (SUZMV).
These are centers for people granted international protection and applied through the state for temporary accommodation. Persons can stay up to a max. of 18 months in order to learn Czech and obtain independent housing. There is a fee to stay here.
CZ is....Emigration Ministry of Interior Offices
1. Ministry of Interior Buildings (MOI)
This is the building where foreigners- usually non-EU foreigners- go to obtain their visa. There are different kinds of MOI offices- for example in Prague there is a MOI office just for student applications.
CZ is....Emigration
Observing Housing around Pilsen
I’ve noticed that houses in Czech villages and towns look similar, which made me curious about people moving from the countryside to cities. I wondered how many of these countryside houses are actually lived in and if more people are moving to cities.
To learn more, I did some research and found different types of houses built during the time when Czechoslovakia was socialist. These houses, like Okalu and Šumperák, were shown in catalogs and offered standard options for building. It was interesting to see the different choices and styles people had back then, which reflected the society and economy of that time.
While many people around the world are moving to cities, rural areas in the Czech Republic have a special charm and a strong sense of
Prostrekov
Susice
Klatovy
Klatovy
Prostrekov
Stribro
CZ is....Emigration
Observing Housing around Pilsen
community. In the countryside, where there are fewer people, neighbors know each other better and get involved in local activities. This is different from the busy and anonymous nature of cities. It makes me wonder if rural areas have a stronger sense of community compared to cities, where people’s interactions can be quick and distant.
Looking at housing patterns and rural communities in the Czech Republic gives us insights into migration, architecture, and how urban and rural areas are different. It’s an ever-changing landscape influenced by history, culture, and how much money people have, which helps us understand how Czech society is changing.
Susice
Stribro
Klatovy Klatovy
Case study comparison: Syrian 2015/2016 War Refugees
During the Syrian refugee crisis in 2015 and 2016, the Czech Republic took a mixed approach in responding to the situation. The government provided financial aid and humanitarian assistance to Syrian refugees in their home country and neighboring regions (Vlada Ceské republiky) by the Czech government pledging CZK 170 million in aid to Syrian refugees in 2015 (Vlada Ceské republiky). However, the country faced criticism for its limited acceptance of Syrian refugees into its borders (DW, Romea.cz).
Reports and accusations of harsh treatment of refugees in Czech detention centers also emerged during that time, raising concerns about the country’s approach to handling asylum seekers (DW). The detention centers they were held in were called, ‘worse than a prison’ by the Czech Human Justice Minister (Radio Free Europe). Despite the government emphasizing its commitment to human rights and international obligations, there were allegations of mistreatment and inadequate living conditions in these facilities (DW).
In recent years, there has been an increase in Syrian refugees arriving in the Czech Republic, prompting discussions among government officials about the situation (Brno Daily, ReliefWeb, Vlada Ceské republiky). Public opinion regarding refugee acceptance has become divided, with some expressing support while others raise concerns about the different treatment of Ukrainian and Syrian refugees (RFERL, EC.europa.eu).
Despite the challenges and controversies, efforts have been made to promote cultural understanding and integration. Organizations have provided language courses and job training to facilitate the integration process for refugees. Positive experiences have been shared by Czech humanitarian aid workers who have worked closely with Syrian refugees, highlighting similarities between Czech and Syrian cultures and emphasizing shared values such as a love for music and family (Borgen Project, YouTube, EC.europa.eu).
Overall with terrorist attacks at the time in Paris and Berlin, the country was being extra cautious as to who they were letting in. On top of that the overall fear of the unknown culture and people with a lack of exposure was one of the many reasons voiced for different treatment of the Syrian refugees.
Case study comparison: Ukraine 2022 War Refugees
In a quite vast contradiction, the response that Czechia has had to Ukrainian Refugees is like night and day. In 2022 when the Russian Federation initiated an attack on Ukraine it sent millions of Ukrainians seeking asylum and refuge all across Europe; where the neighboring countries received the largest influx of people.
The Czech Republic responded to the influx of Ukrainian refugees with a range of measures aimed at supporting their integration and providing assistance. In the education sector, efforts were made to accommodate Ukrainian students and teachers. The Global concepts preschool opened a second school specifically for Ukrainian children, and initiatives such as the design classes ARCHIP students have Ukrainian children. The Ukrainian Single Class project, organized by the Ukrainian Embassy, the Children of Ukraine Endowment Fund, and Charles University, provides classroom instruction in the Ukrainian language delivered by native-speaking teachers (Expats.cz).
To address the needs of Ukrainian refugees, assistance centers and resources have been established. The Assistance Center for Refugees from Ukraine provides support and guidance to Ukrainian refugees in the Czech Republic (ICPraha.com). The Czech Ministry of Education has been actively seeking job opportunities for Ukrainian teachers and classrooms for Ukrainian students (Expats.cz). Moreover, organizations like Shkola.cz and Nasiukrajinci.cz offer information and resources related to schools and kindergartens for Ukrainian children (Shkola.cz, Nasiukrajinci. cz).
Another aspect of the resources put in place were the policies and benefits that the Czech government organized: multinational grants, compensatory allowances for regions, services to support the social inclusion of people of Ukraine, subsidy program to prevent crime at the local level, national subsidy title for municipalities providing integration services, and contribution to solidarity households accommodating incoming Ukrainians.
Unlike with the Syrian refugee situation, many news articles and Czechs say that there is the common ground of culture and supporting another victim of the same aggressor, as reasoning why Czechs were more welcoming and accommodating. These initiatives demonstrate the Czech Republic’s commitment to supporting Ukrainian refugees and facilitating their integration into society. By providing educational opportunities, language instruction, and practical assistance, the country aims to help Ukrainian refugees rebuild their lives and establish a sense of stability (UNHCR, Expats.cz).
Implementation strategy-How to integrate better
Based on the case studies of Sweden and Austria, which share similarities in terms of population size and the need to bring in a younger labor force, as well as Austria’s strong economic values and geographical proximity within Europe, I firmly believe that Czech Republic has the potential to benefit from adopting effective integration plans. Both Sweden and Austria have established robust integration and migration policies, not only to provide benefits to immigrants but also to ensure labor market mobility, access to education and healthcare, pathways to nationality, and political empowerment for future immigrants.
One notable aspect of their integration plans, which Czech Republic could learn from, is their implementation of a pillar system. This approach involves identifying core values that the country holds dear and then imparting this knowledge and understanding to immigrants as they choose to enter the country. By embracing and nurturing these core values, immigrants are encouraged to develop a sense of belonging and integration within the societal fabric.
In alignment with the interview with Ludek, the future of immigration should be viewed as a two-sided process and relationship, where the receiving country not only sets standards for new immigrants to achieve and fulfill but also opens up avenues for learning and welcomes the blending of cultures to foster a healthy sense of multidiversity. However, Czech Republic’s current immigration portals and policies lack the strong core pillars that are intimately tied to their historical background and cultural identity. There is a need to transform the existing checklist points found on the Ministry of Interior website into pillars that truly reflect and ground the country’s ethos.
These proposed pillars could encompass various aspects, such as Czech and multilingualism, with a focus on preserving and understanding cultural values and historical background. Education and work could highlight the importance of Czech history and the diversification of the curriculum and workforce. Education for all could emphasize the inclusion of diverse perspectives and experiences within the educational system. Living together and participation could center around democratic values and fostering a sense of inclusivity for all residents. Work and entrepreneurship could focus on growing the Czech labor force and providing opportunities for individuals to thrive. Finally, health and welfare could address the growth of the Czech population and ensure equitable access to healthcare services.
Each of these pillars represents an essential aspect of Czechia’s values, stemming from its unique historical journey under different leaders and influences. By incorporating these pillars into immigration policies, Czech Republic can move forward in fostering conviviality and multidiversity within its society. As Ludek Sykora emphasized in the interview, achieving conviviality requires improvement from multiple angles, including better understanding of what it means to assimilate, reshaping the narrative surrounding other cultures and people, and facilitating integration through daily interactions and exposure to diverse communities.
With these proposed changes and a concerted effort, Czechia can transition towards a society that embraces conviviality and diversity at a pace that aligns with the country’s capacity for understanding and patience. By building a foundation rooted in strong core pillars and promoting mutual learning and acceptance, Czech Republic can create a vibrant and harmonious society where diverse cultures and identities flourish.
Czech and Multilingualism Education for
all
Cultural values and historical background understood and celebrated. Improving connectivity from one generation to the next.
Czech history and diversifying the curriculum. Improved educational outcomes and increased equality in schools
Living together and participation
Work and Entrepreneurship
Democracy and inclusion and bettering quality of life
Growing the Czech labor force. Enhanced participation in the workforce and entrepreneurship
Health and welfare
Growing the Czech population and access to healthcare. Nurturing the future generations of Czechs.
Integration examples of change:
1. Faster introduction of new arrivals:
a. Implementation of integration courses
b. Czech buddy system for personalized support
c. Participation in Erasmus/Erasmus+ programs
d. Integration centers: Each state capital will establish integration centers with comprehensive facilities and directions for immigration-related matters.
e. Local governances: Local governing bodies will collaborate with residents to determine capacity and availability for foreign integration, providing annual numbers to the state government for subsidy calculations. They will also establish buddy systems to aid incoming residents with translation, connections, and community integration.
f. Czech cultural program+: The program will offer discounted entrance to conferences and events related to workers’ fields, promoting the development of the Czech Republic while benefiting from living and working here. It will connect workers through cultural programs and events, fostering integration with effective marketing.
g. Czech+ program: All students will be part of the Czech+ program, organizing events and connections to enhance integration and provide similar experiences in studying and living in a foreign country. Schools will be responsible for notifying students about these events.
2. Enhanced participation in the workforce and entrepreneurship:
a. Provision of grants and loans for foreigners with special offers
b. Grants available for local and foreign collaborations
c. Support for entrepreneurial initiatives
e. Local economies cycle: The arrival of new community members will generate increased economic opportunities and inflow. Grants and support will be provided by locals to assist foreigners in settling into their new towns.
3. Improved educational outcomes and increased equality in schools:
a. Enhancement of education standards, including diverse class content, historical knowledge, and classes on diversity
b. Government funding/grants to promote diversity in schools
c. Implementation of awareness classes and programs
d. Education criteria: Staff members in integration centers and units working with foreigners must meet language proficiency requirements in English, German, and Russian. Otherwise, they must take language courses to reach at least an A1 level in English.
4. Strengthened language skills and increased opportunities for adult education:
a. Promotion of language learning programs for adults
b. Availability of adult education courses
5. Development of urban districts to address social exclusion:
a. Urban regeneration initiatives focusing on housing
b. Cultural program development to promote community engagement
c. Infrastructure improvements to foster growth and self-sustainability, empowering local residents
d. Refuge centers: Improved and well-designed refugee intake points in both eastern and western regions will accommodate and assist refugees and asylum seekers. State capitals will have their own intake points for refugees, facilitating documentation and proper placement in integration centers.
6. Promotion of common societal values through increased diversity: Integration through Architecture:
a. Government subsidies for housing, up to 3,000 CZK per person
b. Provision of inclusive services
c. Compensatory allowances for regions
d. Entrepreneurial programs for both Czechs and foreigners
e. Housing and Govt. Subsidies: Each state will allocate a percentage of funds to towns that welcome and integrate foreigners, resulting in a positive impact on the local economy.
Asylum Seekers
Medical tourists
Business
Long-term Residents
2 years: benefits to PT system
4 years: improved health benefits
6 years: access to Czech resources...
8 years: paid for courses/ education spot for children/spouse...
Each state capital must have an integration center with comprehensive immigration facilities and directions to related services.
Integration center and foreign affairs units’ staff must have 50% proficiency in English, German, and Russian.
Volunteer work
Sports teams
Short-term Residents
Retirement
Students
These will be requirements for all that initially enter CZ and have mandatory fulfillment.
Local governing bodies must collaborate with residents to accommodate and support foreign integration, providing annual numbers to the state government for subsidy calculations.
Discount if they take the ones from the integration center
Housing and Govt. Subsidies:
States will allocate a percentage of funds to towns that welcome and accommodate foreigners, benefiting the local economy.
integration course to learn about Czechia
czech buddy program language courses
These events and organizations will not be mandatory but will be well executed and marketed in order to attract the shortterm residents.
Similar to the buddy program, but will be targeting foreigners
This will mostly consist of good marketing and accessibility in getting used to CZ. The faster that people integrate, the more they can fall in love with the country and its people.
Improving the local economies cycle
Encouraging healthy traffic of foreigners and immigrants
encourage mixing of Czechs and internationals through a social program to help with connections.
By pursuing these integration goals and implementing the comprehensive integration plan, Czech Republic aims to create a welcoming environment that fosters the successful integration of newcomers, promotes diversity, and strengthens social cohesion within the country.
From old houses to new homes
I needed to pick a housing type that would be common all around the Czech republic, something that was personal to their history but widespread. As I noted in my observations I found that not only when exploring the countryside, but also in exploring on Google Earth that so many of the houses had similar shapes and forms; as though they might have been prefabricated.
After this and a consultation with my studio leaders, I learned about the Šumperák “V” Housing type.
This housing type was created during the socialist regime in Czechoslovakia in the 70s. This was around the time where family housing units were growing in desire; and it was very
“When I photographed the owners at home, I tried to get them to tell me as much as possible about their personal, actually very physical experience with the building and their subsequent, say, fifty-year life in it. More or less, everyone still considers it something special and likes living there.”
-Tomáš Pospech
difficult to get individual housing plans approved and this design by Josef Vanek was one of the few designs approved. Just like its many names- Šumperák House, “V”housing type, TV homethere were many variations after the first model took off because it was an easy plan to adapt to one’s own liking.
Although there is no official count, Josef Vanek sold 4000 plans and then an additional 2000 through the company Kovostav who employed him. Today there are 600 of these documented in Tomáš Pospech’s book, ‘Šumperák’.
Sumperak, “V” Housing type
Renovation of Sumperak house example
+
According to the research conducted by Tomas Prokpech, the Šumperák House has an average size of 148.6 square meters. He found that these homes tend to be occupied by elderly couples who have repurposed the downstairs areas for residential use, deviating from the original design where residential spaces were intended to be upstairs. This arrangement presents a unique opportunity to optimize the upstairs area.
In the Czech Republic, the average dwelling size for a two-person household stands at 69.6 square meters. By dividing the Šumperák House to accommodate two sets of residents, each couple would have an ample living space of 74.3 square meters. This division not only allows for better utilization of the available area but also aligns with the average dwelling size for a typical Czech two-person household.
