The Central Bohemian Science and Technology Park is to be established by 2012

Kladno - The Central Bohemian Scientific and Technological Park, which is being developed by Prague's technical universities, is expected to be established by 2012. The extensive research area, which could emerge on the site of the former Poldi Kladno, will be financed with up to ten billion crowns from the European Union's structural funds. Andrea Vondráková from the Czech Technical University in Prague (ČVUT) informed ČTK about this today.
    Currently, this is the largest project of Prague's technical universities. In addition to ČVUT, the Czech Agricultural University and the University of Chemistry and Technology also participate in it. On Monday, February 4, the rectors of these universities, Václav Havlíček, Jan Hron, and Josef Koubek, will sign a memorandum of understanding to declare their common interest in the establishment of the park, Vondráková stated. The trio of Prague technical universities represents a total of 6,000 employees and currently educates over 50,000 students. The Central Bohemian Region is also involved in the project.
    The goal of the construction is to create a development center with quality infrastructure and the capability for full integration into the European research space. “The main focus of the park will be scientific research activities, technological research, and development in close collaboration with technology and high-tech companies, as well as the transfer of advanced technologies into practice,” said ČVUT Vice-Rector Jaroslav Kuba.
    According to him, an integral part will be especially small and medium-sized technology companies, for which the necessary services and support will be provided. “There is an effort to support start-up companies here in the form of a business incubator. At the same time, the park will provide support for PhD students and students in applied fields, who will be able to work on research projects in these cutting-edge facilities,” the vice-rector added.
    Governor Petr Bendl previously stated that the region wants to utilize the fact that Central Bohemia, unlike Prague, has a chance to access European funds. According to the governor, the region should also fight for financial resources from the operational program managed by the Ministry of Education as part of this project.
    The regional government intends to support the use of old industrial sites, so-called brownfields, rather than build new zones. Abandoned areas with crumbling buildings and unused transport structures are characterized by considerable dimensions, ecological burdens, and negative social phenomena. In the area of the former Kladno steelworks, there are, for example, metal thefts, which led to the collapse of one of the halls last year. Two people died and others were injured under its rubble.