Plans for the revitalization of Lesser Town Square are entering the final stage. Construction should begin this year.

The CZK 73.5 mil. budget for the revitalization of Lesser Town Square will cover construction work as well as various guarantees and insurance policies. The next step is the tender for a general contractor, which will be announced by the Investment Department at City Hall.

 Traditionally, the building industry has a great capacity to absorb additional workers during times of crisis. We can help our economy by making reasonable and necessary investments into infrastructure and high-quality public spaces. Revitalizing Lesser Town Square can be the first step in this direction,” says Petr Hlaváček, First Deputy Mayor.

The Lesser Town Square’s current condition does not reflect its full historical importance. The area is clogged with automobile traffic that impedes the free movement of residents and visitors. The chief objective of the revitalization project is to reduce overall traffic through the area, in addition to more general improvements. The square should be a representative public space that offers a pleasant environment for people to spend time in, in addition to serving as a venue for special events and cultural activities.

“The revitalization will include a general reconstruction of the square’s ground level and new utility networks necessary for connecting new water features. A new fountain and urban greenery, for example, will help keep the square cool in summer,”notesPetr Hlubuček, Deputy Mayor responsible for the environment.

Petr Hejma, Mayor for Prague 1, adds that “Prague 1 wants to shape the lower part of Lesser Town Square into an area that will allow residents to sit and meet in a peaceful and green environment. We very much welcome this project from our colleagues at City Hall, as it will help us considerably towards achieving this goal.”

The Lesser Town Square’s new design was selected in an architectural competition organized by IPR Prague in 2014. The winning design is the work of three architects—Martin Hájek, Václav Hájek and Petr Horský. The jury praised the winning design for respecting the historical environment of the area and unifying the entire space, while also responding sensitively to the local issues of the square.

“One of the very first architectural completions that IPR Prague organized is now in the home stretch. Many of Prague’s residents are probably familiar with the renderings of the new design, and we are looking forward to seeing the changes come to life. We’re also working to ensure that other important squares in Prague are improved,” said Ondřej Boháč, Director of IPR Prague.

More information about the competition can be found here (CZ only).