ČKA: Even the mere vision of the Olympics brings benefits to the city

Prague - Although the potential hosting of the Olympic Games in Prague is still distant and the likelihood of their realization is highly speculative, discussions about holding them in the city are of great significance according to the Czech Chamber of Architects (ČKA). They could contribute to the development of a much-needed spatial development plan. The city council reached the conclusion today that the Czech capital could be the venue for the Summer Olympic Games. In the fall, the city plans to submit its candidacy.
    "Prague lacks a quality spatial development plan, and discussions about hosting such a large event in the city could contribute to its preparation," said Milan Jírovec, chairman of the ČKA working group Architects for the Olympic Games. For three years, the group has been seeking to professionally influence the preparation of the Olympics as an independent expert entity. It is preparing a detailed statement regarding the decision released today by the city council.
    The mentioned plan should indicate the directions and possibilities of architectural and urban development of individual parts of Prague as well as the city as a whole. The need for such a plan has been discussed for a long time, most recently in connection with the announcement of the project for a new building for the National Library.
    The city's preparation for the Olympic Games involves not only the construction of new facilities, whether dismantlable and usable for other purposes after the games or more or less permanent structures that will influence the city's appearance for many years. The preparations for the influx of a massive number of people in the host cities also require substantial interventions in the transportation infrastructure and an increase in the number of hotel beds. For all of this, experts say the spatial plan is important.
    "From the perspective of tourism, even just the candidacy itself is undoubtedly beneficial," said Michal Šeba, chairman of the Association of Travel Agencies of the Czech Republic, to ČTK. The association supports the decision of the councilors. In the awareness of the whole world, the candidate country becomes more touristically attractive and advanced, Šeba added. According to him, the whole Czech Republic will benefit from the candidacy, as it is evident that not all Olympic events can be held only in Prague.
    The enthusiasm of travel agencies is not shared by the Club for Old Prague, although it is very likely that the sports new constructions will not arise in the historical core of the city. "Transport, hotel, and other service structures, as well as various hasty adaptations and superficial beautification of public spaces, can leave permanent scars on the face of the city," warns the club's chairwoman, Kateřina Bečková. She is also concerned that under the banner of the Olympics, "various commercial and low-quality construction projects could be hidden," which otherwise would not have passed.
    ČTK was unable to obtain the position of the National Heritage Institute regarding the submission of a candidacy to host the games today.