Experts: Prague should have only one building authority instead of 22

Prague - The capital city should have only one building authority, or at least a common methodology for assessing buildings for the existing ones. This was stated today at a conference dedicated to urban planning and building law. According to experts, the current structure of 22 building authorities complicates the approval of buildings in Prague.

Until 2003, there was a simpler system in the metropolis with one office, but then the existing structure was introduced. According to building law expert Renáta Pintová - Králová, this significantly complicates the situation in Prague, mainly because there is no common decision-making methodology. Even if the system is not completely reformed, such a methodology should be established, according to her. Ideally, a builder would receive the same statement for one project from any Prague authority.

The director of the city Institute of Planning and Development (IPR) Ondřej Boháč agrees with the expert's opinion. According to him, it would be ideal if Prague had two offices in the future - one that would make decisions and another that would handle appeals.

Another problem, which is no longer just a Prague topic, is, according to Pintová - Králová, the influence of local governments on building authorities. Even though they currently fall under the state by law, they are located in municipal offices and, in Prague, in the offices of city districts, which also fund their operation.

This often leads to suspicions that the decisions of officials regarding building permits are not independent and are subject to the influence of local politicians. The problem could be solved by establishing a Supreme Building Authority that would supervise and control the offices. This is currently being considered by the Ministry for Regional Development in its announced proposal for a new building law. At the Prague level, establishing one building authority could at least disrupt the ties between politicians and officials at the level of city districts.