Prague considers an architectural competition for new urban furniture

Prague - The leadership of Prague is considering announcing an international architectural competition for new city furniture. This could potentially replace hundreds of public transport stops and advertising structures that have been built and are managed by the French advertising company JCDecaux under a contract with Prague. This stems from a non-public record of a meeting that was attended last week by, among others, Mayor Adriana Krnáčová, Councillor Michal Hašek (both from ANO), and representatives of heritage protectors, the Institute of Planning and Development, and UMPRUM.
Hašek and Krnáčová did not confirm the intention to announce the competition. "No international competition has been announced yet, it is also premature to talk about a timeline ... No concrete steps have been taken so far," the mayor communicated through her spokesman Vladimír Řepka. When asked how the city will handle the contract with JCDecaux, which is being discussed for several months now, the councillors consistently respond evasively. "Negotiations are ongoing, we must first hear what the company has to offer," Hašek responded to a question from ČTK. Regarding questions related to the competition, he referred to the mayor.
"The current contractual relationship is unfavorable for the city, and a favorable way to terminate the contract or negotiate otherwise with the company will be sought," it is stated in the minutes from the meeting that ČTK has access to. The magistrate is to propose solutions, including a possible buyout of the furniture or its gradual replacement, in relation to advertising revenues. The Institute of Planning and Development has been tasked with drafting the terms of the architectural competition. UMPRUM is to find out what the situation regarding city furniture is in other European metropolises.
JCDecaux has repeatedly rejected the alleged disadvantage of the contract. Recently, through the media, it called on the councillors to negotiate. The company operates 600 advertising stops and another 300 without advertising, 1500 meters of advertising railings, and 20 public toilets. It is also responsible for their maintenance and cleaning. It pays the city ten million crowns annually.
The potential revision of the contract was last discussed in connection with Prague's building regulations, which stirred debate about advertising regulation in Prague. The competing company BigBoard claims that the contract with JCDecaux puts competitors in the advertising sector at a disadvantage.