Dejvická street in Prague is set to transform into a shopping district

Prague - New squares, tree-lined avenues, and underground garages could be created on Dejvická Street in Prague 6 in the coming years. This is based on architectural studies published today by the local council of the sixth district. The calming of Dejvická must not lead to a deterioration of the traffic situation in the surrounding streets, said the mayor of Prague 6, Tomáš Chalupa (ODS), to reporters today. The council will allocate a budget of 100 million Czech crowns for the adjustments, and it is also counting on the participation of a private investor.
    Dejvická Street runs from Vítězné Square at one end and connects to the Hradčanská metro station at the other end. Currently, it is filled with cars not only from local residents but also from commuters coming to the city. Shops are often replaced by banks and casinos. According to the mayor, Dejvická could become the cultural artery of Dejvice. "Although the street has a great concentration of banks, it also has two theaters - Spejbl and Hurvínek and Semafor," remarked the mayor.
    The council contacted a total of six architectural studios, setting the condition of transforming the street into an urban commercial boulevard where pedestrians would have the main say. Among other requirements were the return of greenery and trees, the incorporation of planned underground garages for up to 750 cars, and the creation of a gathering square at the intersection of Dejvická, Jaselská, and V. P. Čkalova streets, where markets, festivals, and various urban events could be held. "Vítězné Square, after all, does not fulfill such a function and probably never will," Chalupa noted.
    According to Chalupa, the architects' proposals bring many good solutions but also many questions. Some suggest, for example, the introduction of tram transport, which the council believes would be too financially demanding, complicated, and would not bring the expected calming effect. The council now wants to present the studies to the public and discuss the final shape based on them. People can view the proposals until October 8 at Dejvické Square, and they will also be published in the municipal monthly.
    The local council has set a financial limit of 100 million Czech crowns for the reconstruction of the street, but this will likely not be enough. Therefore, the council will also seek a private investor. By the end of 2010, it aims to have the project documentation completed, with construction potentially starting in the following years.