Plzeň will announce an architectural competition for the design of E. Škoda Square

Plzeň - Plzeň will announce an architectural competition aimed at generating ideas for the possible future appearance of Emil Škoda Square near the former headquarters of Škodovka and the bus station. The square has not fulfilled many public functions so far. In the future, part of the space could be transformed to make it more enjoyable to spend time there, said Mayor Martin Baxa (ODS) to ČTK.
    The city is successfully revitalizing public spaces in the wider center and is now beginning to focus on other areas, he said. "Emil Škoda Square is one of those areas that are really not very appealing. The condition there is not very good. The university is preparing a major reconstruction of its premises there and it would definitely be good for the square to have some appearance in the future," he noted.
    The rectangular space between Husova and Tylova streets, in close proximity to the central bus station and the former headquarters of Škoda, is currently used partially for parking. The remaining area consists of green spaces without park arrangements and functional furniture, lacking opportunities for meaningful use. There is a civil defense shelter underground.
    "It's a broken, unanchored space, and that has largely been due to the lack of many public functions there," said the mayor. However, that could change. Besides the proximity to the bus station, the space could be used more for relaxation by students from the university, which purchased the large building of the Škoda headquarters several years ago. The school has used the building limitedly for a long time, but after the reconstruction, it will use it fully, Baxa stated. Parking spaces will remain in part, but according to him, that is not a reason for the other areas to be neglected, uninteresting, and devoid of elements that would allow people to spend their time better. A possible solution is to be proposed by the architectural-urban competition that the council is expected to announce.