Prague city councillors have given the green light for a comprehensive redesign of the area around Florenc and Masaryk Station. The aim is to create a vibrant neighbourhood with housing, public spaces, art, and modern infrastructure.
At their June meeting, city councillors approved two amendments to the land use plan, paving the way for a comprehensive urban transformation in the heart of the Czech capital. The plan is to develop a dynamic urban quarter with housing, open public spaces, a daycare centre, and a total of five artworks in public areas. In return, investors are pledging financial and material contributions worth over 300 million crowns to the city and the affected districts of Prague 1 and Prague 8.
‘We are not only creating new living space here, but also a whole part of Prague that is worth living in,’ emphasises Petr Hlaváček, Deputy Mayor for Urban Development. He is particularly proud of the so-called blue-green infrastructure integrated into the planning agreements – including green roofs and sustainable rainwater management. A detailed climate simulation has shown that these measures can effectively curb heat build-up in the densely built-up area. Quality is also a priority when it comes to urban greenery: new trees will be planted and maintained in accordance with Prague standards.
At the heart of the approved development measure are the planning contracts with the investors. These guarantee not only additional urban housing and generously designed public spaces, but also a new municipal daycare centre with four groups in Prague 8, along with further financial resources to strengthen local infrastructure. According to Deputy Mayor Radomír Nepil, the promised benefits for Prague 8 alone amount to around 200 million crowns.
Special attention was also paid to architectural quality: the future development is based on the results of the international urban planning competition ‘Florenc 21’, in which renowned European and Czech architectural firms took part. ‘The new neighbourhoods are not emerging by chance, but are the result of open and sophisticated planning,’ emphasises Nepil.
The project is also of great importance to the neighbouring Old Town. ‘For Prague 1, it is crucial that the financial resources from the investor agreements flow directly into the improvement of public infrastructure – this will benefit not only residents, but also the many visitors to this central city location,’ explains district mayor Terezie Radoměřská.
There are strategic reasons why the Florenc area has come into focus for urban planners: it lies at the intersection of three city districts and forms a link between the historic city centre and the up-and-coming Karlín district. The current changes to the land use plan aim to better connect these areas and create a modern urban fabric – characterised by short distances, permeability, and a mix of living, working, leisure, and culture.
The amendments to the land use plan were agreed in advance with the public, the affected districts, and other relevant institutions.
For Hlaváček, the project is a prime example of Prague’s approach to involving investors in urban development. ‘Urban growth can and must generate public added value – whether in the form of infrastructure, affordable housing or social facilities,’ he says.
Last but not least, the development also raises the question of the future of the existing bus station. The city has commissioned the transport authority ROPID and the Institute of Planning and Development (IPR) to draw up a concept for the future organisation of long-distance bus transport. This will also examine whether Florenc remains a suitable location, or whether alternatives should be considered.
