The New Cihelna district in Pardubice could offer up to 2500 apartments and a large arena

Pardubice – Over 200 people gathered today for the presentation of the urban study New Cihelna in Pardubice. The capacity of the lecture hall at the Pardubice University was insufficient, and some interested parties had to stand in the hallway. The area is set to have apartments for about 5000 people and a large multifunctional arena by entrepreneur Petr Dědek, which is expected to cost around ten billion crowns.

The study will be approved by the city council, likely in June. The creators of the study calculated that the area could accommodate up to 2500 apartments. Additionally, entrepreneur Dědek plans to build an arena for 22,300 people, aiming to kick off the season in 2027.

Some people's reactions were emotional. One attendee labeled building a multifunctional hall in a residential zone as total nonsense. He stated that arenas are usually located far from residential areas. People applauded his remarks.

The site planned for the construction of the multifunctional arena is a dump that the investor will have to remediate. "There is contamination and without remediation of the area, the project cannot proceed," said architect Marek Wajsar.

In the southwest part of New Cihelna, a healthcare facility with 230 beds focused on rehabilitation, recovery after operations and injuries, and longevity could be established. It is being prepared by Axes Medical Europe.

The urban study determines where streets and parks should be located and what types of houses should be built. It also establishes parameters for the cohesive character of the district. According to the study, buildings in the center of the area can have up to six floors, while those at the edges can have five. "We want the district to be resilient to climate change; tree avenues are proposed there, and the study specifies their number," Wajsar said.

The arena is to have a parking garage for 2000 cars, additional parking under the arena and the hotel. In total, there will be around 3000 parking spaces.

Public spaces around the hall should include an 18-hectare green ring that will screen the large construction from the surrounding residential areas.

"The intersections are sufficiently permeable. It is estimated that about 10,000 visitors will arrive by car for an event at the hall, which is about half the arena's capacity. There is a public transport stop north of the arena; if buses are available, 3000 people can be brought there per hour. Emptying the arena would take a long time, so we recommend in the study that they should ensure additional bus capacity and secure a contractual carrier," said the architect.

New Cihelna will have three transportation points for connections, one from the northeastern bypass currently under construction, another from Hradecká street, and in the future also from the road from the south. "The district will have about 5000 residents; this does not seem critical for regular traffic. The most complex scenario is evening peak hours and the end of some event in the hall. The delay on the northeastern bypass will be measured in minutes," Wajsar said.

Today, people expressed concerns that cars would be stuck in traffic during morning and evening rush hours. They also mentioned that parking would be difficult in Cihelna because of its proximity to the university, where students park.

The urban study also considers the construction of a kindergarten to provide residents with one of the essential services.