New Metropolitan Plan Comes into Force in Prague

Prague has had a new land-use plan since the beginning of September. The so-called Metropolitan Plan replaces the previous framework from 1999 and is intended to shape the urban development of the Czech capital for the coming decades.

Prague City Assembly approved the new plan at the end of May. According to the city, it represents a fundamental turning point for Prague’s future development. In particular, areas that have so far been underused are to be developed more extensively for housing and new neighbourhoods.

One focus is on former industrial and commercial sites as well as areas with good access to rail transport. “The Metropolitan Plan sensibly concentrates development where suitable conditions exist – particularly on brownfields and close to rail transport,” said Deputy Mayor Petr Hlaváček, who is responsible for urban development.

At the same time, all major development and transport projects have been taken into account. Green spaces in residential areas, as well as the capital’s historic and heritage values, are to continue to be protected.

Foto: IPR Praha

Potential for Up to 350,000 Homes

The Metropolitan Plan was drawn up by Prague’s Institute of Planning and Development (IPR). Unlike the previous land-use plan, the new framework is intended to be less rigid in determining which specific uses are permitted on individual plots. Instead, greater emphasis is placed on the structure of the city.

“The plan moves away from simply defining functional land uses and places greater emphasis on the structure of the city,” said IPR Director Ondřej Boháč. This is intended to allow a more flexible response to the actual needs of residents, while important urban planning requirements will remain binding.

Foto: IPR Praha

According to the IPR, the plan creates the conditions for new neighbourhoods with a theoretical potential of up to 350,000 homes. It also introduces more comprehensive height regulations for buildings for the first time and designates areas that are to be secured for nature and green spaces within the city in the long term.

Planned transport projects as well as necessary public infrastructure such as schools, services and other facilities are also included in the plan.

14 Years in Preparation

Work on the Metropolitan Plan took a total of 14 years. The public was able to participate in its preparation in three rounds. Public hearings took place in 2018, 2022 and 2025.

Among other things, the city hopes that the new framework will lead to faster approval and construction processes. The more modern and flexible structure is also intended to help reduce the need for subsequent amendments to the land-use plan in future.

The Metropolitan Plan is therefore set to become the central basis for the development of new residential neighbourhoods, the transformation of major brownfields and the expansion of Prague’s transport infrastructure.