Ice rink under the bridge and new parks. Eight projects that will transform Prague
Rohanský park, Libeňský bridge, Povltava promenade, Trojská kotlina or the new energy center on Císařská ostrov. The projects, some of which also consider flood protection, are being planned this week by experts and architects from the Institute and Development with Deputy Mayor Petr Hlaváček (STAN).
Shortcut across Štvanická lávka
Neither footbridge nor bridge, more like a bridge. This is how Petr Tej, one of the architects involved in the new Štvanická lávka, describes the newly emerging link between Karlín and Holešovice. It should become a more pleasant alternative to the Hlávka bridge for pedestrians and cyclists on the way from Karlín to Holešovice.
“It’s basically a simple white line that winds through the urban landscape,” describes the visual aspect of the footbridge, architect Tej. It is designed from high-quality concrete and its length will be about 300 meters. The construction of the pillars in the water is currently underway, the people of Prague should be able to walk on the footbridge by the end of the year.
Ice rink under Libeň bridge
The capital is also planning to improve the transport connection between Holešovice and Palmovka, through the reconstruction of the original Libeň bridge, which was completed in 1928. The two-year repair, which also includes recreational use of the space under the bridge’s arched structures, should begin in 2024 Cafes, shops and, in winter, perhaps even a public ice rink should grow here.
Park Maniny for leisure
One of the key changes concerning the 56-hectare area, which leads from Hlávk bridge to the end of both Libeňské kos, is the creation of Maniny Park. It will not only fulfill the role of flood protection, but also aims to increase biodiversity, bring locals back to the water and become a place for them to spend their free time.
According to architect Rozália Kašparová, this is the last place in the city center on which Prague still has no opinion. This is also why the Institute of Planning and Development has been trying to find an ideal proposal for dealing with the territory since 2020. At the end of September, the four teams participating in the competitive dialogue should be presented.
The road will become a path for pedestrians and bicycles
In the context of the planned construction of the city ring road, the connection of which is currently missing in the northeast of Prague, the change of this part of the Vltava bank from Holešovice to Troja is now being considered. It should be created in a place where traffic currently dominates “green spine”which will be used by pedestrians and cyclists and which will connect the Trojská Kotlina, the Rokytky area and Rohanský Island.
“When the city ring road is built, the road on which cars drive today will turn into a space for pedestrians and cyclists, because the cars will be in a tunnel in this part,” Deputy Mayor Hlaváček (STAN) described the planned changes.
Troja basin ready for big water
Troja will also gradually see revitalization around the river. The goal of a number of smaller projects is to ensure that the territory meets the protection against a larger water level not only for the Prague Zoo, but also so that the residents can use it for sports and relaxation. There should be an anti-flood wall, as well as footbridges that will connect Císařský ostrov with both shores.
According to architect Marek Kundrata (IPR), it is precisely the effect of the flood that connects all the projects on the river. An example of this is Císařský ostrov, which was torn apart during floods. “To prevent this from happening again, a safety spillway will be created on the site, which will fulfill a recreational and natural function, but at the same time it will also be an anti-flood measure,” says Kundrata.
New construction in Libni
By 2030, two thousand city apartments should be built in Palmovka. The preparation of the project is sponsored by the city’s contribution organization – the Prague Development Company, which is now dedicated to consolidating the land on which the new modern district should grow.
And experiments with parking space restrictions are also on the table. “In our country it is a completely unexplored area, but for example with Berlin houses, where it is further supported by the fact that there is high water there and building a garage is a technical problem, so investors and architects achieve interesting results,” explains Hlaváček (STAN).
Cable car from Podbaba to Bohnice
Even before the long-planned, direct tram line connects Prague 6 and 8, according to the design of the London studio William Matthews Associates, a cable car will be built on the bank of the Vltava River, which will lead from Podbaba across the river to Troja, with a final terminus in Bohnice. Construction should take place between 2024 and 2025.
However, according to Deputy Mayor Hlaváček, there are concerns that it will delay the systems of a more correct solution, which is represented by trams. And critical voices are also heard in connection with the fact that the cable car will not be able to replace the daily fast transport that is needed in this part of Prague, but according to the proposal, it should shorten the journey from 40 minutes to 15 minutes for the citizens of Prague.
Energocentrum Bubeneč
Stockholm, Helsinki and Vienna were the inspiration. A solution that uses low-potential heat from wastewater could in the future help to cover up to a third of heat consumption in Prague using heat pumps. In this way, the capital could at least partially get rid of its dependence on natural gas.
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“We would like to have an idea solution on paper by the end of the year, and at the same time we would like to start a discussion with the ministry about co-financing,” said energy expert Tomáš Voříšek about the project, adding that the building would not actually be built before 2028.