Architect: The appearance of the Prague embankments is one whole, the law is supposed to protect it

Prague – The concept of revitalizing Prague's riverbanks is a cohesive architectural and urbanistic whole, and any further adjustments should also maintain the continuity of the original project in terms of copyright law. This was stated by the author of the proposal, Petr Janda, to ČTK. Last year, the city management decided to abandon the original concept, but recently revised that decision, and the last two so-called vaults in the embankment wall are to be completed according to Janda's design.

The city council responded to criticism from Janda and representatives of the public and opposition, who argued that the city should not only complete the ongoing work according to the original plan but also adhere to it in the future. The project includes, among other things, river baths, which the city currently does not plan to implement. City councilor Adam Zábranský (Pirates) stated that according to the legal opinion of the magistrate, the city is not bound by the original project and can decide freely about the appearance of the riverbanks in the future.

Janda disagrees, stating that the mentioned opinion points out the necessity to carefully examine individual interventions in the project concerning copyright. "Copyright law does not protect the author himself, but primarily the value of the entire work as a part of public space and the cultural environment of the city. A value that has developed over several years, which has been recognized with more than 20 domestic and international awards and by Prague itself," he stated.

He added that the concept of revitalizing the riverbanks was designed as one interconnected urbanistic and architectural whole, of which the vaults are not the only component but also furnishings, technical infrastructure, sanitary and operational facilities, flood protection measures, floating baths, and other elements of public space. "It is precisely the interrelationships of these parts that create the character of the place and its long-term value," he communicated.

Originally, the city leadership accepted a resolution last year that the city should also call for new tenders to complete the last two vaults. The reasons were primarily the high costs of reconstruction according to the original design. This was followed by a wave of criticism and the establishment of a round table, based on which the councilors decided that the vaults would be based on Janda's project. According to Zábranský, this means that the revitalization of the riverbanks, initiated in 2018, will now be completed. The councilors kept the original part of the resolution regarding which future adjustments do not have to adhere to the project anymore.

According to Janda, however, this does not correspond to the conclusions of the round table. The head of Prague's ANO and opposition councilor Ondřej Prokop expressed a similar view. "If the city management ignores its own round tables and agreements attended by politicians, experts, and the public, then it is just a waste of time for all involved," he stated.

Modifications to Prague's riverbanks have increased in cost from the originally planned 309.2 million to 470.3 million crowns. The conversion of one of the vaults into restrooms is expected to cost 30 million crowns. In September, Janda explained at a council meeting that the vault with the toilets is the most technically complicated, and 20 million of the total 30 will be spent on technical equipment, as the vault contains a large number of network connections for the entire Rašínovo embankment.

The popular Prague riverbanks are located at Rašínovo, Hořejší, and Dvořákovo embankments, where the city also had the vaults renovated. The riverbanks are particularly a common destination for Prague residents and visitors in the summer. Additionally, a main cycling route A2 runs along the right bank.