Better public spaces in the heart of Prague

The exhibition "Future and Present of Prague 1" concluded on Friday, November 27, in the exhibition hall of the Czech Academy of Sciences on Národní Street, after a five-day run, organized for the residents of Prague and its visitors for the thirteenth time by the Prague 1 district council. The exhibition presented the latest studies, surveys, and visions for the future regarding the regeneration of public spaces in the heart of Prague, which the Prague 1 municipality aims to contribute to calming the city center, limiting car traffic, and creating pleasant nooks with greenery and places for rest. This year's exhibition also showcased the ten most successful proposals from the competition "For the Best Outdoor Open Men's Urinal Project," which brought interesting suggestions for enhancing urban furniture in the center of Prague. Visitors expressed their opinions on the studies and projects of men's urinals in a public survey conducted throughout the exhibition, providing numerous ideas for further improving public spaces.

Among the studies from the "Regeneration Program," the study of adjustments to Opletalova Street (designed by architect Hana Zachová) drew the most interest from visitors. Opletalova Street is proposed here as an elegant urban thoroughfare with mixed use, predominantly utilized by pedestrians heading toward significant destinations: the Main Railway Station, Wenceslas Square, and Masaryk Railway Station. The aim of the study is to improve the comfort and safety of walking (among other things, making intersections clearer), reduce the number of parked cars, and lower the speed of traffic on the street. Given the numerous parking areas in the immediate vicinity, there is an opportunity to relocate some paid parking spaces, for example, to currently underutilized areas under the dual carriageway. Visitors also considered the study of adjustments to the streets Pařížská-Maiselova-Břehová (designed by Znamení čtyř architekti s.r.o.) successful, which proposes a new, "more inviting" arrangement of the small park by the Staronová Synagogue, with low greenery and a water feature. The row of trees on the eastern side is extended in the proposal to 17. listopadu Street. In the survey, Prague residents also welcomed the adjustment of Na Poříčí Street and the continuation of the revitalization of Kampa Park.

The competition "For the Best Outdoor Open Men's Urinal Project" received a positive response from most visitors. They rated the men's urinal project designed by architect Milena Ulčová from Prague 8 the highest, which had also been previously recognized as the winner by the representatives of the Prague 1 municipality and independent architects. Following the competition, Prague 1 municipality commissioned a verification study aimed at identifying suitable locations in the center of Prague for the installation of a urinal with a technical solution based on the winning design.

Mgr. Karel Fischer, chairman of the Commission for Spatial Development and Environment of Prague 1, added regarding the exhibition: "This year's edition took place under the motto 'Regeneration Program - Project for the Future.' In recent years, Prague 1 municipality has implemented 27 adjustments to public spaces, ranging from small alleys to entire squares. We want to continue the systematic regeneration of the urban environment in the heart of Prague. We are pleased that the Regeneration Program has a response from both professionals and the general public, as confirmed by this year's exhibition. The tradition of this event will continue: we plan to hold the 14th edition of the exhibition in the fall of 2010 at the newly opened Malostranská beseda, and we will be happy to welcome all residents who are interested in the present and future of the center of Prague again."