Projects

Projects realized in 2001

• Cultural event Babylon's summer 2001 – co-funded with Phare CBC Fund
• Babylon – sewage system for the south part of the village – co-funded within Programme for regenaration of countryside and Phare CBC Fund.
• Establishment of information centre for residents and tourists – purchase of computer equipment for local library – co-funded with the Public information services of libraries 2001.

Projects realized in 2002

• Cultural event Babylon's summer 2002 – co-funded from the EU Common fund for small projects.
• Reconstruction of sewage inspection shafts and petrol station – co-funded from the EU Common fund for small projects.

Planned projects

• Concept for utilisation of the Babylon training and education centre (concept for the effective utilisation of building no.36) – filed application for funding from  EU Common fund for small projects.
• Revitalisation of Babylon's town centre – filed application for funding from EU SAPARD fund.

Revitalisation of Babylon Programme (for period 1999 to 2003)

Preamble

The village council joined this programme in 1995. It was a concise programme for the regeneration of Babylon upto 1998, that contained the council's basic ideas. Now we are getting to the next stage of the programme. Simultaneously materials are in preparation that, after a public discussion, will be admitted as a long-term programme. It needs to be said that some parts of the programme will not be closed until after the new village development plan is approved.

Basic information about Babylon

The settlement of Babylon became an autonomous village in 1907, when the village of Havlovice got separated into Havlovice and Babylon. The name originated from the words "old woman's quarry" (babi lom in czech), from which either by pronuncing it very quickly, or from the old biblical name, arose Babylon. Geologically Babylon lies on granite, which was quarried and processed in a number of places. The village lies at an altitude of 463m, only 8 km from the town of Domazlice and less than 7 km from the border crossing at Folmava - Schafberg. The village is situated at the foot of the Cerchov hill (1039 m), surrounded by deep forests. Beautiful location, charming surroundings and a renowned lake have made Babylon a sought after holiday resort for tourists and guests since 1910. In 1980 Babylon became a part of the town Domazlice. After elections in 1990 it became autonomous again and now has 280 residents.

The Programme events

Educational, cultural and social events

Chronicle

A chronicle has been kept since the beginning of the village autonomy. During a number of time periods the events were complemented with stories from witnesses. Since 1991 the chronicle has been written regularly.

Events for children

Residents and council do not forget their youngest citizens. Especially members of the local football club who are the main organisers of the popular children fancy-dress ball. Parents together with the council organise a regular children's day celebration with sports and entertainment programmes.

Babylon's Summer

This is the new name for the once very famous and popular "Venice nights". In 1997, on the 410th anniversary of the first written record about Babylon, the first annual summer fair called "Babylon's summer" went ahead. Current "Babylon's summers" will also be, apart from the music and festivities, a tourist attraction for Chodsko's visitors together with a number of sports and social events, an international contest in stone lifting and a gathering of residents from twin-towns and near-border towns. It is also becoming an exhibition of folklore of individual countries. The tradition "Babylon's summer" will surely continue successfully.

Sport and recreation

Conditions for sports in the village are quite favourable. Both members of the Sports Union "Sokol" and other residents and visitors can use a football ground, tennis courts and a gymnasium. These sports grounds diversify the recreational possibilities of our visitors. In the future the council is hoping to reconstruct the old sauna building, which is used as a background for the sports clubs and also as a place for providing refreshments to sportsmen and visitors. Considering the age of the building the reconstruction is a must. The council is considering taking the opportunity to considerably expand the facilities (massage room, fitness studio, sauna etc.) for the use of the village residents. Another possibility is building covered tennis courts and enlargment of the sports facility with other offers of free time activities for both residents and visitors.

Club activities

Club activities are pursued by members of both Sports Union "Sokol" Babylon and the Voluntary Fire Brigade. Sports Union has football, tennis, table tennis and mother and child exercise clubs. Apart from carrying out their club activities they also organise balls and social events.

Maintenance of public areas, technical amenities, infrastructure.

Public areas and roads and traffic situation

The village's basic need is to build a by-pass road for road I/26, which goes through the village and is the only road to the afore-mentioned border checkpoint. It seems higly likely that one of the options for the by-pass will be approved by the Czech government in 1999 and the realisation of the project will start. This is out of the village's possibilities. As for the local infrastruture it needs to be said that some of the goals from past years were met, mostly thanks to funding from the Countryside regeneration Fund. However, there is still a large financial burden ahead due to the need of reconstruction of the roads around the sports ground and to the apartment buildings, finishing the road to building no. 75, building of parking spaces etc.

Public vegetation

Public vegetation needs to be planted in compliance with the village ground plan. Existing vegetation is constantly maintained and a park look for our holiday resort village is pursued. Care for the public greenery is a matter of course for the council and there is, and in future always will be, an amount in the village budget for it.

Treatment and maintenance of water areas

Surroundings of the pond in the centre of the village need to be repaired and in the future mud from the pond bed needs to be lifted, so the pond can be used more because it is a nice accessory to the sports ground. Of course it is important not to forget the streams that need to be cleaned and maintain in good status. There is a big lake in the village though it is not the village property. However, the council is prepared to use it's powers to ensure the owners keep the lake clean and in good status. It needs to be said that presently the owner looks after the lake well. Drawbacks are in streams going through private properties.

Sewage disposal

A pivotal objective in the previous programme was initiation and building of a sewage treatment plant. That objective was fulfilled when the building works started in 1998 and it will be finished in 2000. The council received funds from the government without which the works would not be possible. The next objective is the building of a sewage system for the top part of the village where there are a number of family houses and some recreation buildings.

Drinking water supply

Both our residents and companies in Babylon use thier own drinking water sources. Analysis of samples showed that in some sources a higher amount of radon exists than allowed by regulation norm. This is due to the geological bed / foundation of the village containing uranium ores. This fact presses the council to make proposals for provision of a clean drinking water supply. In the near future the council will decide on one of the proposed options. After deciding on the most advantageous option a new ground plan will be made and the council will file for government funding. According to the outcome of these proceedings the time scale of the works will be  specified.

Waste disposal

the level of waste disposal is presently very good. The council acquired containers for sorting waste that can be used by both residents and entrepreneurs. Big problems that the council needs to address are illegal dumping grounds and fly-tipping.

Energy Supplies

Supply of electrical energy is on the whole sufficient. A bigger problem will be the acceptance of the need for a mains gas supply and the building of such. At present a study and a budget are being prepared. Solution will be chosen in accordance with the results of this study and comparison of economical factors.

Conclusion

This programme shows the most important objectives for the near future. A long-term programme together with the new ground plan, will be publicly discussed with the residents and then accepted by the village council. It will be important to put ideas from residents into the programme and ensure realisation continuity by the future council.

Babylon, February 13 1999