An urban planning competition was held three years ago for the Florence area, which Prague representatives say is neglected. The winning proposal envisages the creation of two main pedestrian streets that will connect Nové Město, Karlín and Žižkov at the points where the main road and the Negrelli viaduct lead. Architectural competitions should follow on from the proposal. A separate competition has been announced for each of the four blocks.
Up to 85,000 square meters of gross floor area will be created in the area, of which more than half will be used for housing, approximately a fifth for administration and a similar share for retail and services. About four percent will be occupied by a hotel in a block near the railway.
The location is located in Prague 1 and 8. “The area around the Florenc metro station is a sore spot for us. The prepared architectural competitions finally give hope that this busy transport hub will become a dignified gateway to the metropolis without stench, homeless people and drug addicts. And of course, a pleasant and safe place for Prague residents, which they will not try to avoid,” said Deputy Mayor of Prague 8 Radomír Nepil (ANO).
“The revitalization of Florence is a great opportunity to connect Prague 1 and Prague 8 with adjacent neighborhoods such as Poříčí or Petrská čtvrť, and to support local infrastructure and public spaces that will benefit the wider environment. Thanks to this, this part of Prague will also gain a new character, where the main road will not be a barrier, but rather an integrated element of the new urban structure,” said Prague 1 Councilor Karel Grabein Procházka (ANO).
The chairman of the jury will be the well-known architect Stefan Behnisch, and the other members will be Italian Maria Alessandra Segantini, Dutchman Kees Christiaanse, Lithuanian Gilma Teodora Gylyte, and laureate of the Czech Architecture Award Štepán Valouch. Penta, the capital, city districts, and the Prague Planning and Development Institute will also have their representatives on the jury.
