Young Architect Award 2019 - discussion meeting

Given the high prices of apartments, demand for property purchases has decreased over the last two years, making homeownership in larger cities unaffordable for a significant group of people, possibly an entire generation. There are few apartments, and their construction is slowed down, among other reasons, by the length of legislative processes. The law on social housing has not yet been established, but there is talk of a state program for apartment construction and also of subsidies for municipalities for affordable housing. The Strategic Plan for Prague also emphasizes support for the construction of affordable housing, starter apartments, and housing for the elderly. Would rental housing, which developers are now starting to bet on, help solve the current housing crisis? How can architects influence the situation?

Date: Wednesday, February 27, 2019, from 16:30
Location: Center for Architecture and Urban Planning (CAMP), Vyšehradská 51, Prague
Moderated by: Karolína Vránková (Respekt)

Program:
● Questions of Minimum Housing Standards and Their Accessibility / Jaromír Hainc (Director of City Detail Section, IPR Prague)
The topic of housing is key for modern architecture. IPR Prague analyzes housing and the real estate market in the capital city of Prague from the perspective of its availability and necessity and assesses the state and development of the Prague area concerning the utilization of particular locations for residential construction. The current situation with hardly accessible housing forces IPR, in collaboration with other institutions, to monitor developments and look for ways and tools to improve the situation.

● Unconventional Development / Anna Ježková (Atkins & Langford Development, s. r. o.)
In addition to development activities associated with residential construction, urban planning, and the reconstruction of historical buildings, Anna Ježková is also involved in non-profit projects that improve the environment and communication, education, and the connection between different spheres (e.g., reSITE conference, Developers Association, Geopark Ralsko, etc.). She advocates unconventional concepts - cooperative housing, housing for seniors, and rental housing. She collaborated on the Housing Concept of the Czech Republic until 2020.

● Finnish Developer's Approach / Zuzana Chudoba - Head of Real Estate (YIT Stavo, s. r. o.)
The basis of Nordic architecture and Finnish housing style is harmony with nature, the use of natural materials, and consideration for the environment. Additionally, YIT's strategy includes the combination of good locations, civic amenities, and transport accessibility. In low-energy projects, they emphasize sustainability, including biodiversity and rainwater management. YIT has already constructed 10 projects in Prague and has successfully positioned itself among the five strongest residential developers in Prague. They are working on additional projects, including the revitalization of a brownfield in Hloubětín. Plans are also focused on rental housing.

● Legislative Process of Construction in Municipalities / Radka Vladyková – Executive Director (Association of Towns and Municipalities of the Czech Republic)
Is the housing problem only a concern of the metropolis, or can it also be traced in other parts of our republic? The view of local government on legislation regarding newly emerging constructions in municipalities.

● Affordable Housing Libeň-Hájek: Selected Location of the Young Architect Award 2019 Competition / Jitka Jeřábková (IPR Prague)
The task of the 11th year of the young architect competition is to design a set of buildings containing affordable urban apartments on a plot in Prague-Libeň, which is owned by the capital city of Prague. So far, there has been no clearly formulated vision for residential construction in the metropolis. The company ABF, a. s., organizer of the Young Architect Award competition, deepens its cooperation with IPR and believes that discussions on this topic within the framework of the competition and the preparation of an urban-architectural study of affordable housing can contribute to the construction of Prague's housing policy and highlight neglected issues.

● Can Architects Help in Finding Solutions to Housing Issues? / Zdeněk Fránek (Fránek Architects)
A leading Czech architect and one of the jury members of previous years of the Young Architect Award competition has dozens of realizations to his credit. In addition to numerous excellent examples of quality family homes, he is also the author of the white six-story apartment building near the Abbey of St. Agnes in the center of Prague (previously nicknamed marshmallow).

LAUNCH OF THE YOUNG ARCHITECT AWARD 2019: The event will include the launch of the 11th edition of the competition for young and emerging architects up to 33 years old, the results of which will be ceremoniously announced on September 10, 2019.

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