On Rohanský Island, 5000 people will live in the planned development

Prague - On the Prague Rohanský Island, the planned development will accommodate 5,000 residents, and thousands more will work in offices there. Construction will take place in the area between the bike path and the Rohanský embankment. During a meeting of the Prague 8 representatives, architect Pavel Hnilička, who prepared the territorial study for the island's development, stated this in the discussion. The study will regulate aspects such as density and height of the construction and will serve as a basis for amending the zoning plan. The Sekyra Group plans to build on the island. The first phase of construction is expected to begin next year.

The new buildings are to be located only in the area between the current bike path and the Rohanský embankment. There will be greenery and a park from the edge of the bike path to the Vltava River. In addition to the five thousand residents, 6,200 people are expected to work in offices and 480 in services. A total of 390,000 square meters of gross floor space is planned, with a net floor space of 300,000 square meters.

The territorial study contains so-called regulatory elements that the developer must not violate. It does not specify the exact appearance of the buildings. However, it establishes a building line that defines the shape and direction of the street. The so-called construction line then determines the placement of buildings, and the study also includes height limits. "The height is kept at the level of Karlín, with only local height accents," said Hnilička.

The study defines public spaces and the ground floor of buildings, where shops and services are to be located. Thus, the developer will not be able to build garage entrances on the ground floor, and the spaces for shops will not be more than half a meter above the sidewalk. "The developer will be required to prepare the building structurally so that an active ground floor can be created there," said Hnilička.

Part of the development will include a pedestrian zone about as wide as Na Příkopě street. The bike path will be widened and supplemented with an avenue. There are plans to build a school or kindergarten. Initially, this was to be done by the developer, who would donate it to Prague 8. Eventually, he will give the municipality a donation of 60 million crowns tied to the construction of an educational facility. According to the city's leadership, it is still unclear whether Prague 8 will need a school or kindergarten. Councilor Eliška Vejchodská (SZ) criticized the amount of the donation, stating it is inadequate. Councilor Martin Roubíček (ODS) suggested that the municipality should commission the building project while the developer ensures its construction.

The study will serve as a basis for amending the zoning plan, which will allow the construction. The city council must approve it. "The study will be presented and discussed with the public in May," said Deputy Mayor Petra Kolínská (SZ/Trojkoalice).

Sekyra Group is now applying for the issuance of a zoning decision. According to Executive Director Leoš Anderle, construction could start next year. "At the same time, we are preparing architectural competitions for the second phase of construction," he stated. According to him, all developments could be completed in 12 years. "But we prefer to say 12 to 15 years," Anderle said.

The area between the bike path and the Vltava River is designated in the plans as non-buildable. Prague plans to restore the filled-in arm of the Vltava River and create a relaxation zone with greenery. Additional water features are to be created there.