Plzeň has approved a concept for the development and renewal of the center

Plzeň - Plzeň has approved a new concept for the development and renewal of the city center, covering areas of approximately 200 hectares. By creating conditions for potential new construction, the city hall primarily aims to increase the number of residents permanently living in this part of the city. It also proposes to calm automobile traffic and improve public spaces for leisure activities. Additionally, it creates conditions to facilitate pedestrian movement within the center, as well as in relation to the surrounding areas, the rivers, and further into the countryside, said Deputy Mayor Pavel Šindelář (ODS) to ČTK.

The document, which updates the material from 2010, proposes a vision for the center for the next more than ten years and a process for renewal. The central area is defined according to locations established by the city’s zoning plan, and compared to the 2010 document, it has expanded to include the areas U Škodovky, Jíkalka, and Hamburg.

Among the main problems of the center are primarily damage, where in more than one-fifth of the area, construction is either completely lacking or inadequate. With the exception of the historical core, the quality of public spaces is also very low. According to the deputy, these are the main causes of the low density of the center's population, which is less than 50 inhabitants per hectare. The average in the city, however, is more than double that. Therefore, the city council aims to motivate especially private investors to fill in the gaps in the center. The city itself no longer has many available areas there.

"The document addresses in detail issues such as population density, land use, and the condition and potential of public spaces. It will serve as a treasure for city administration in decision-making regarding project and strategic management. It indicates the direction for further work with the center in the future," said Šindelář. The document indicates that the adequacy and scope of construction will be examined, for example, in front of the Komerční banka and in the gap in Křižíkových sady, where public space is proposed for the entire area.

The proposed area measures focus on city furniture, art in public spaces, and cycling. For example, a cycling route, known as a greenway, is proposed along the right bank of the Radbuza on already constructed bike paths with potential use of the planned new footbridge across from U Lázní. Individual measures pertain only to smaller locations, streets, or building blocks.