In 1925, according to the project of the architect Bohumír Kozák, a university dormitory was created for the first time only for students. The building was awarded a period print. “The rugged building with several terraces provided impressive views of the surrounding area. Although the current state does not reach the sophistication of Kozák’s drawing, it is still only a very picturesque corner of Vinohrady, “said in a Facebook post Archiv hl. m of Prague.

The Prague archivists also attached a copy of a magazine from the 1930s, where they spend their free time on the terrace as a “pleasant place for exercise and rhythmics” for the inhabitants of Budče. Now, indeed, the terrace towards the busy area does not provide much space for relaxation, although the Charles University building has recently been renovated. And even the mentioned staircase doesn’t look very attractive at first glance. “But the stairs and the whole place are beautiful, they just need a little more care and get rid of the containers,” wrote the well-known architect Adam Gebrian, who told the municipality: “I am very pleading. Let’s not do this, please. City accessibility is an important thing, but I don’t think that’s the way it is. “

The intention is unacceptable for conservationists

The project was also welcomed by the city district, which, according to Deputy Mayor Jan Korseska (ODS), is already striving to connect, mainly because of its parents with prams, cyclists and wheelchair users. The Civic Democrats had plans for a new bridge already in 2014 in the election program. “Creating it will open up space for a new cycle corridor leading from Vinohrady to the Vltava or to Nusle. The approved cycle logenerel of the Prague 2 district also counts on it. However, the final form of the footbridge and its implementation is fully within the competence of the capital city of Prague, “Korseska pointed out.

The construction for 30 million crowns is to be provided by the municipal company Technical Administration of Communications in the second half of 2022. Prague councilor Scheinherr presented to the public visualizations from the workshop of architect Petr Teje. However, the leadership of the metropolis had to criticism from NPÚ edit the press release. “The final form of the footbridge was selected from a dozen designs, which were assessed by the National Monuments Institute. The winner is in accordance with the protected monument area, “it was written in the original version. However, conservationists stated that they were consulted on the project during the study phase, but stated that “the plan itself is unacceptable from the point of view of monument care” and the establishment of the footbridge is not in accordance with the regime of monument zones Vinohrady, Žižkov, Vršovice.

“With regard to the terrain profile, in the affected place of Bělehradská Street there are three-branch staircases with a decorative railing, placed on a retaining wall made of Cyclops masonry. The realization of the proposed footbridge would mean a fatal change in the existing material composition of the place. Today’s staircase would only turn into a kind of base of a new footbridge and the original solution would actually disappear, “adds the Prague workplace of the monument institute.

Scheinherr apologized that the municipality wanted to show the people of Prague and find out how they liked it in this early part of the project only because of the complexity of the area and the historical value of the plan. According to Mayor’s Square, there are “several organizations in Prague that can be described as conservationists.” However, the spokesman Vít Hofman stated that even the municipal officials from the Department of Monument Care did not deal with the project and could not issue an opinion so far.

Matěj Michalk Žaloudek (Greens), a coalition representative of Prague 3, architect and former adviser to the councilor for territorial development Petra Kolínská (Greens), also “went” to Scheinherr via social networks due to confusion. The plaintiff is annoyed that no architectural competition was announced for the design of the footbridge across Belgrade. Some members of the Green Party from neighboring Prague 2 are also protesting. Local organizations are holding an online debate on Thursday on the controversial topic. However, a bit paradoxically, there is criticism from the town hall opposition, because the Pirates are in charge of the metropolis.

The current councilor defends that only the “forces of trouble” of the metropolitan government because, according to the original treaties, architects were not involved at all. Scheinherr claims that the ANO movement, together with the CSSD and the Triple Coalition (Green Party, STAN, KDU-ČSL), only announced a tender for the construction designer.

Building a city of short distances

“The footbridge is important for accessibility, building a city of short distances. It is not located somewhere in the castle grounds or park, but in the middle of a densely populated city, where people live, spend their free time and go to work. It is important to build easy and safe walking and cycling routes. And if we can do it with respect for historic buildings and the environment, it is the right path for development. Appropriate replenishment of the footbridge so that new and old ones are not shouted over, but supplemented, so it is a success that will contribute to the whole territory, “he replied to the councilors in Žaloudek.

However, many locals fear that they most often use the tram line, on the contrary, “kill” the stairs completely. And under the Budeč dormitory, there will be nooks for homeless people and vandals. Garbage will accumulate even more. “I’m afraid there will be only stink and dirt left,” said one of the locals. Another resident admitted that in 17 years she had never had a problem with a pram: “I just went a little further and moved to Belgrade. This is money thrown out the window. “