Plzeňská náplavka is sought after in hot weather, it is the work of young architects

Plzeň – Plzeň Riverbank by the River Radbuza progressed to the top 25 finalists of the Czech Architecture Award after a verdict from an international jury. It is the only structure from the Plzeň region and one of three from the Czech Republic in the public spaces category. The work of young Plzeň architects and the city has attracted many people during the current heatwave; it has just been equipped with additional features, said architect Jakub Mareš from the K světu studio in Plzeň. Hundreds of cultural events are held there, with thousands of people visiting over the weekends during the season.

"It is a microclimatic zone by the water, where one can spend pleasant time, especially now during the heat," said Mareš.

According to Mareš, the Czech Architecture Award under the Czech Chamber of Architects is the highest honor one can achieve in the field on the domestic scene. "First, many people apply, then about 300 applicants remain, and then a nomination is made for 25. It is judged by a foreign jury, which this year includes a Dane, a Dutch person, an Austrian, a Spaniard, and a Slovak. It is very prestigious to make it to the shortlist. The jurors visit all the nominated projects." And ours is the only one nominated from the Plzeň region. The project's name is Revitalization of the Radbuza Riverbank, and people can also vote in the public award. On November 12, the main awards will be announced (at Forum Karlín) with a live broadcast on Czech Television, said the architect.

The riverbank, the first in Plzeň, has been in operation for six years and has now been supplemented with new elements. "Currently, there are not yet a third of the final features planned. There is a trampoline, new benches, a back skatepark behind the triple bridge, an exhibition system, and bicycle racks, said Mareš. Nine more elements are currently being designed – for example, slacklines, slides, small climbing walls, and more. "More will continue to be added to make it more interesting. We are doing this together with the city, which is an absolutely key partner, and with the districts, he added.

The collaboration is working excellently according to him. "The vibrant program has been taken over by the Plzeň Riverbank Association by agreement from K světu. Last year alone, about 500 events were held along the rivers in Plzeň, said Mareš. The riverbank by the Radbuza is 800 meters long. "But the biggest boom will come when we manage to extend it to the confluence and to DEPO2015, to create a communicative zone, he said.

"Now we are designing a second riverbank on the Mže, the section between Plaza, meaning from the planned housing estate Karlovarská, to the hydroelectric power station behind the Roosevelt Bridge, said Mareš. According to him, there will be more riverbanks in Plzeň, which is traversed by four rivers; the confluence of the Radbuza and Mže is currently being addressed.

According to Mareš, each riverbank in the Czech Republic has something interesting and different. "In the idea of focusing on all urban banks, Plzeň could be said to be second after Prague. Plzeň and Prague are currently leading. They are trying to create pedestrian and residential banks at most places where people move. And since we have five rivers here, it is a big task," he stated.