Prague wants to reduce the minimum number of parking spaces for new buildings
Update: 17/10/2022 14:02
Issued by: 17/10/2022, 14:02
Prague – The Prague municipality wants to reduce the minimum number of parking spaces that builders must build in new residential buildings according to the Prague Building Regulations (PSP). The draft amendment to the regulations was approved by the city councilors today, and now they will comment on the city district. In a large part of the city center, according to the proposal, it would be possible to build apartment buildings without parking spaces. According to the municipality, the goal is to reduce housing prices and support the sustainable development of the city.
The PSP divides the city into seven zones, in which, with the help of a calculation, they determine the mandatory number of parking spaces based on the built-up gross floor areas. While it is now necessary to build in the center as well, upcoming developments may include houses without parking. “We want to enable projects to be created for people who don’t have and don’t need a car at all,” said city councilor for housing Adam Zábranský (Pirates).
According to the proposal, there will be minimum parking spaces throughout the city, including its peripheral parts. The maximum number of parking spaces is to be maintained, which is set at two spaces per apartment unit.
“The proposal takes into account in more detail the availability of public transport with a focus on rail transport,” added Deputy Mayor Adam Scheinherr (Praha Sobě). According to him, the city wants to reduce the level of regulation and allow the market to respond to demand, because apartments without garages can be significantly cheaper.
The proposal will now be commented on by the city district, after which the city management will vote again. The councilors approved the extension of the comment period to 45 to give the town hall enough time to comment on the amendment. “It is obvious that there will be some discussion about it,” said Deputy Mayor Petr Hlaváček (for TOP 09), who was elected to the new council as the leader of the STAN movement.
The proposal was approved by the ex-officio council consisting of representatives of Pirates, Prahy Sobě, TOP 09 and STAN, which after the elections leads Prague until the election of a new municipality leadership. Last week, representatives of the winning coalition Spolu (ODS, TOP 09, KDU-ČSL) called on the council not to make any important decisions. Together leader Bohuslav Svoboda (ODS) also called on Mayor Zdenek Hřiby (Pirates) to do so in an open letter. “The law is clear. The city council is responsible for the management of the city until a new council is elected,” said Hřib in response to the letter.
PSP are implementing regulations to the Building Act and regulate construction based on the specific requirements of the capital’s urban planning. They have been valid since 2016. Their future is now being discussed during the preparation of an amendment to the new Building Act.