Development of regions around Prague: Joint planning should help
The Central Bohemian Region, Prague and the Ministry of Regional Development want to deepen joint development planning in the wider vicinity of the capital. The aim is to see the so-called metropolitan region in context – while it is necessary to be able to intervene so that the disadvantages associated with the proximity of Prague do not spread. And be able to make the most of the benefits.
Trail to Prcice.
| Photo: Central Bohemian Tourist Board / Toulava Destination Management
The basis for such decision-making is to be the creation of territorial studies on the settlement structure and infrastructure, said Jiří Snížek (Pirates), Deputy Governor of the Central Bohemian Region for Regional Development and Spatial Planning. Although Prague and the Central Bohemian Region are separate – they nevertheless represent a largely unified whole; central territory of the republic, where 2.7 million people live. In the 30 years since Snížek will be sixty-three, it will be estimated at 3.6 million…
The population is growing rapidly
Both the near and more distant surroundings of Prague meet with an influx of new inhabitants, which attracts to combine employment in Prague and the hinterland of the city with the relative peace of life in the countryside. The population of about three hundred municipalities has doubled in the last twenty years. According to Snížek’s words, with the development of construction, in which family houses predominate, a quarter of a million people working in Prague have immigrated to the Central Bohemian Region in the last 20 years – and this has happened without close cooperation with it. The capital and the Central Bohemian Region have not yet coordinated territorial development together. “What’s more, not even three hundred Prague municipalities need to coordinate their zoning plans,” the deputy governor warned.
According to him, it is necessary to react if there are still 25,000 hectares of vacant buildable areas in the Central Bohemian Region. Which could mean another significant influx of people. “The current and future state supports the pressure to build new roads, railways, water mains, sewers – but also parks and schools. Practically the only thing the market takes care of is the construction of apartment and family houses, “Snížek pointed out the context. With an emphasis on the fact that the metropolitan region is not just a simple summary of individual municipalities from a Central Bohemian point of view: it is necessary to see the whole as well. “It is necessary to address issues that go beyond the cadastres of individual municipalities – and are based on the fact that municipalities have freedom in spatial planning,” the deputy governor pointed out.
Common problems? It’s not just traffic
Areas common to all that need to be addressed or coordinated together are currently the ring road around Prague (or the Prague ring road or the D1 motorway), high-speed rail, which will offer long-distance connections, and conventional rail from Prague to Benešov or Kladno, Kopanina reservoir, integrated public transport – as well as schools, social and health services. Even tourism.
Wandering around Central Bohemia: Proven routes attract to trips
This is not just about solving problems in the immediate vicinity of Prague. “The task of the Central Bohemian Region is to help them develop so-called secondary development poles, such as Příbram, Rakovník or Benešov. This will reduce the pressure on the primary poles, which are Prague and Mladá Boleslav, “Snížek offered a view from above. From the position of a man in charge of regional development and spatial planning in a number of Central Bohemian regions.