Experts: squares and parks are still not of good quality and friendly for people

Freedom Square in Vsetín

Architect, critic, and architecture promoter Adam Gebrian argues that public spaces still suffer from neglect caused by 41 years of communism. "It was a regime that had no interest in regular meetings in public spaces and in the exchange of opinions and information," he told ČTK. "I also think that we are quite a timid nation, often unwilling to confront surprises, unexpected phenomena, and situations - and that precisely defines a successful public space. That something like that can happen there," he adds.

However, even shortly after 1989, squares did not become more welcoming, according to architect Igor Kovačević. "In the 90s, we succumbed to neoliberal ideology, and public space became just a place to make money, or even a space sold to private entities. In the 90s, it was as if we didn't need public space," he says. Today, society is starting to talk about public space again, and there is a demand for it, which the city is responding to - albeit belatedly.

"We are repairing parks and paving squares, but as a whole, our public space suffers from a number of ailments. It lacks accessibility, there is a prohibition on planting trees in the streets, as a rule was introduced in the 90s that allowed any network administrator to bury their cables more or less as they pleased...," the architect lists the shortcomings of public space in the Czech Republic. According to him, only what can be easily improved is getting better.

The quality of Czech public spaces is also poor according to landscape architect Vladimír Sitta, who worked for 30 years in Australia and now teaches at ČVUT. "Apart from Prague Castle, which serves the residents of Prague only to a limited extent, I can't think of much else. Especially when we use a comparison with abroad," he searches in vain for a good example of quality and accessible public space.

Architecturally, however, he believes that some Prague spaces are quite exceptional even on an international scale. "But the inability of local government to do anything about the shocking pollution from private car traffic is also exceptional. Streets do not serve people, but are an obstacle course between poorly parked cars. Yet there are plenty of positive examples not far from our borders," he believes.

Both Gebrian and Sitta agree on recent good examples - these include the reconstruction of the square in Frýdlant and Gahura's promenade in Zlín. Sitta adds projects in the "Czech anomaly, Litomyšl"; there, local government successfully collaborates with architects and conservators, integrating contemporary architecture into the historic city. Gebrian also highlights the first phase of the renovation of the center of the village in Dobříš, the center of Znojmo, and the Vegetable Market in Brno. However, according to him, the situation in Prague is more tragic.

"Exceptionally important spaces, socially and historically, cry out after revitalization. Whether it is Wenceslas Square, Letná, Malostranské, Senovážné, Vítězné, or Palach Square, which has the potential to be one of the most beautiful in the world, but its current state is a disgrace. I was pleased by the recent minor adjustments to Karlovo náměstí under the guidance of the Institute of Planning and Development," he states.

Malostranské náměstí, which today is mainly a parking lot, is also close to change. Prague plans to allocate 100 million crowns for its renewal. An architectural competition already took place last year, but repairs are not set to begin until 2017. "There is no need to wait at all. It would be enough to change the traffic signs, 'un-treadmill' it, and immediately the residential quality of the space would improve," suggests Sitta, hinting at a cheaper and faster solution.

Today, after an eight-month renovation, Karlín Square in Prague 8 has opened. This marked the final phase of rectifying the aftermath of the 2002 flood. Paths, benches, lighting, a playground, and a fountain, which dominates the park along with the Church of St. Cyril and Methodius, have been restored.