Praha will continue to place chairs and tables on the streets

Prague - Prague will continue to install chairs and tables in public spaces. These could appear in up to 15 new locations. The plan was approved today by Prague councilors. Currently, people can sit in eight places. According to an analysis by the Institute of Planning and Development (IPR), about 220,000 people used the chairs and tables last year. The greatest interest was at Malostranské náměstí. There are 340 chairs and 90 tables placed in public spaces.

"The main goal of the project for 2017 is to expand the existing tested locations with new areas for the operation of chairs and tables, with greater involvement of the general public in the form of an open call for those interested in operating the furniture. A total of 10 to 15 public spaces will be selected," the material approved by the councilors states. IPR, along with the city, is expected to decide in March where the chairs and tables will be newly placed.

According to the original plan, in addition to chairs and tables, new grills and bike racks were also to be installed in Prague. IPR now does not recommend this. On the contrary, it suggests an agreement with restaurants that would offer their restrooms as public facilities. It also recommends considering the use of construction fences for exhibitions.

At Malostranské náměstí, IPR recorded up to 130,000 sitting people. According to the analysis, nearly 5,000 people pass through the square per hour. At the National Theatre's piazza, 32,000 people stopped, and there were 27,500 in Letná. The average duration of sitting was 15 minutes. The duration varies depending on where the furniture is located. In places where a large number of people pass, individuals tended to sit for shorter periods. This is the case at Malostranské náměstí.