Chamber: Non-functional digitization threatens the existence of certain studios

Prague – Insufficiently prepared and non-functioning digitalization of the building permit process threatens the existence of architectural firms that do not have the funds to cover a longer period without income from processed projects. Although it is still too early to quantify damages, problems could escalate. Jan Kasl, the chairman of the Czech Chamber of Architects (ČKA), stated this to ČTK. A month after the introduction of digitalization, he claims that the building permit process is in chaos, and the failure of the builder's portal at the end of July is considered a fatal flaw. A fundamental flaw, according to him, is that the system is still not connected to the land register.

According to Kasl, there are many more errors in the system, such as the inability to enter buildings into the system or fill in supplier information. He also considers it conceptually unacceptable for registration in the builder's portal to be based on the identity of a specific individual rather than in representation. “Authorized persons are identified here by ID card or passport instead of a clear authorization number. The builder should not know my ID card at all,” Kasl said.

The ČKA has received rather negative information from the authorities about the internal connection of systems in the building permit process. Authorities overwhelmed with written requests for building permits submitted by June 30 are struggling to handle applications submitted through the builder's portal, and according to Kasl's estimates, they will likely process them by the end of the year. The reason, he claims, is that there was an immediate switch from the use of old systems to new ones that are non-functional. Although, according to Kasl, it is still possible to submit applications using paper forms and have them scanned at the office, documentation must be sent through the builder's portal.

Last week, the chamber published an open letter to Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Regional Development Ivan Bartoš (Pirates). According to the letter, the systems did not function as promised, even in basic functionalities. The ČKA also had a problem contacting the director of the digitalization department at the Ministry for Regional Development (MMR), Petr Klán. Even technical support, according to architects, did not function very effectively. In the letter, Kasl urged Bartoš to ensure the functioning of the builder's portal as soon as possible and for the MMR to organize another series of training sessions.

In recent days, the MMR stated that it is preparing further adjustments to the building permit systems, such as allowing bulk data entry. The systems are then updated approximately every two weeks. The ministry first updated them over the past weekend. Among other things, a feature for canceling documents was added, and the necessity of manually supplementing authorized persons was eliminated. The ministry has also published a schedule detailing the changes it plans to implement in the systems by the end of this year.

The deadlines for implementing adjustments are, according to Kasl, unacceptably long. He insists that it is more important to fix the non-working parts of the systems for now, rather than adding new functions. The chamber intends to discuss changes at the MMR with the suppliers of the builder's portal system on Thursday.

Since the launch of the new systems on July 1, building authorities have been complaining about the poor functioning of the systems, missing features, and insufficient training for the new management regime.