These were discovered by a non-profit organization Transparency International. The very fact that the company has existed for about a quarter of a year is suspicious, but the ties of its owner, Jiří Havrda, who also works at CHEMPRAH, are especially interesting. Filip Chytrý, who is associated with suspicious contracts for Prague’s IKEM, has a majority stake in it. That is, those that are linked to Roman Janoušek.

Through KAMÍNKA, Havrd is again connected to Jiří Pergl, whose law practice is linked to Ivo Rittig, according to Transparency. The organization is also without the possibility of connecting to the current people from the City Hall of Prague 5. “The effort to invest in Prague is commendable, but it has its advantages. If the influence of the interest group around Janoušek, Rittig, Hrdlička and the current mayor Radek Klíma is proven, it will be a business card that Prague 5 has not escaped mafia influence, “Tomáš Vích, publicist and architect from the AA Vích studio, told E15.

While many architects are reluctant to build a bicycle, according to Vích’s idea, it is not so meaningless. “I will probably surprise conservatives and conservationists, but from a monumental point of view, the construction of a bicycle is acceptable to me, it is even suitable for the character of Smíchov. On the other hand, Prague already has the same attraction in Holešovice; But he also adds that the bike would probably become the same money market as the planned oceanarium under Stalin.

So far, however, the construction of a new attraction has been decided only on the grounds of Prague 5, where it was approved. It will now be the turn of the conservationists, who plan to issue a negative opinion on the entire project. The construction permit was also not smooth. “I consider this project unworkable, it is with regard to my expertise related to monument care. I voted against the construction of the bicycle, I have to respect the democratic majority, “said Tomáš Homola, councilor and member of the Committee on Territorial Development of Prague 5.

The contract is currently being signed, although it is not clear whether construction will take place at all. The operator of the attraction will pay 56,500 crowns per month for renting the space, the contract will be valid for ten years. However, it may be extended for another ten years under the same conditions. “If the investor does not deliver a valid building permit by November 1 next year, the contract expires on this date,” adds Homola.

Do department stores rule Prague?

One of the arguments of Prague 5 councilors why the construction of the bicycle was approved is “cutting off Smíchov from the city center”. If it were to be put into operation and the city part of public life would move to the city district. Vích also agrees with this separation from the rest of Prague, but according to him, a sightseeing bike is not the solution. “Smíchov should take advantage of the architectural uniqueness of the other bank, where the Dancing House of architects Vlad Milunić and Frank O. Gehry is located.”

Visualization of the architect Milunić footbridges

According to Vícha, the starting point could be, for example, Milunić’s project of three footbridges that would span the Vltava. In addition to offering connections to both banks, accessible pedestrians would also be able to move between Střelecký, Dětský and Slovanský ostrov.

Vích also points to a strange concept in the permitting of Prague buildings and a special political and cultural connection. “Instead of Prague trying to create a multifunctional environment a short distance, under special circumstances to build giant shopping centers and administrative zones,” says the architect. According to him, each district should provide its inhabitants with plenty of shopping and leisure opportunities. As the trend in European urbanism of the last fifty years dictates.