The Prague city councilors approved the change of the zoning plan

Prague - Today, Prague city councilors approved 43 changes to the zoning plan. Among other things, this will allow construction on the site of the current train tracks at Masaryk Railway Station. The freight station in Žižkov, Smíchov railway station, and several original industrial areas currently assessed as so-called brownfields are also set to receive adjustments, according to today's council session.
    The most important change concerns the highly debated possibility of transforming Masaryk Railway Station. The proposer of the changes and councilor for urban development, Martin Langmajer, denies that the approved changes could lead to the station's closure in the foreseeable future. Some time ago, he also told journalists that the historical railway buildings at Masaryk Station, which are protected as monuments, would be preserved. The station should connect with Karlín via Opletalova Street, and new buildings are expected to rise there. Langmajer would prefer apartments here over dead zones with administrative buildings.
    Some changes to the zoning plan are criticized by councilors from the Green Party. "We proposed to exclude those changes that plan functional changes on currently green and undeveloped areas," said councilor Zuzana Drhová (SZ). According to her, the changes will affect, for example, hundreds of hectares in the Štěrboholy and Dubče areas. "We say, let’s wait for the new zoning plan, in which the overall situation will be evaluated, whether there is even a need to build here," Drhová told ČTK. The Greens particularly warn against imprudent construction development that may not correspond to transport accessibility.
    The councilors also approved other changes to the zoning plan today, including the location of a station for the planned metro line D near the Krč hospital, the relocation of a tram loop to the metro station and the city railway stop in Hostivař, or construction on so-called brownfields in Modřany and Sedlec.
    The proposals also anticipate the construction of a new railway corridor between Prague and Beroun, the creation of a backbone cycling route from Vinohrady southeast through Zahradní Město, and the establishment of new urban green areas in Strašnice and Záběhlice.
    Construction is expected to take place at the Smíchov station on roughly 25 hectares within the freight station area. The reconstruction will not jeopardize passenger transport here. The same area is also expected to be built on at the freight station in Žižkov.
    The revitalization of Smíchov Railway Station will be financed by Sekyra Group as part of the joint venture Smíchov Station Development. Sekyra plans to invest up to 600 million euros (approximately 15 billion crowns) into the construction. Essentially, a new city district with a commercial or office area of 400,000 square meters is to be created in Smíchov. The project also includes apartments. Sekyra will also build a new district at the Žižkov freight station, where it intends to invest 500 million euros (12.5 billion crowns).