The City of Prague has adopted new rules for the installation of parcel lockers on municipal land. The aim is to establish a clear framework that allows the service to be provided without adversely affecting public space.
Yesterday, the Prague City Council approved new regulations for the installation of parcel lockers on municipal property. These were prepared by experts from the Prague Institute of Planning and Development (IPR Praha). The objective is to set clear and fair rules that support the development of this service while safeguarding public space.
“We consider parcel lockers to be part of the urban infrastructure. Their presence in public areas can be beneficial, but only if they are well designed and appropriately located. The rules therefore define what a locker should look like and where it does – or does not – belong,” says Ondřej Boháč, Director of IPR Praha.
There is broad consensus among all stakeholders on the need for such regulations. The rules were developed in collaboration with parcel locker operators and the officials involved in their installation. Based on feedback, the rules have been adjusted to ensure they are practical, balanced and enforceable.
Preferred locations for parcel lockers include integration into building façades, supermarket shop windows or public transport hubs. Where no ideal solution is available, the rules also propose alternative locations that ensure access to the service across Prague. The key objective is to ensure parcel lockers do not occupy valuable public space, obstruct movement, or compete visually with important architectural elements.
“The regulations for installing parcel lockers are an important step in preserving high-quality public space. Parcel lockers are a service in high demand and play a vital role in the city by helping to reduce traffic. I consider it a significant achievement that we reached agreement on these rules with the operators,” adds Petr Hlaváček, Deputy Mayor for Urban Development.
For now, the rules apply only to parcel lockers placed on municipal land. However, plans are underway to conclude a memorandum between the city and the operators that will govern mutual cooperation and encourage voluntary compliance with the rules even outside municipal property. The city can offer land suitable for parcel locker installations, and in return, operators will adapt the design and technical aspects of their parcel lockers to suit the local environment.
