The program at Malostranské Square will be coordinated by IPR until October

Prague - The program at Malostranské náměstí will be coordinated by the director of the Institute of Planning and Development (IPR) from July until the end of October. After that, the project will be evaluated, and IPR will employ a program coordinator. This follows today's resolution of the city council. Prague terminated the contract with the parking lot operator at the square at the end of June, and the following day, it plans to organize a picnic there.

"It is a pilot project that we want to evaluate at the end of October. We want to engage all groups in the program, which will be low-cost. We aim to hold an event there on July 1st, and then the Technical Management of Communications will take care of it," stated Deputy Mayor Petra Kolínská (SZ/Trojkoalice) at a press conference after the council meeting.

A web portal will also be created through which interested parties can apply with proposals to organize some programs in the square. According to the rules that are part of today's adopted resolution, these should be one-time events, respectful of the public space, and beneficial for the development of the locality. Advertising, private events, or those for large numbers of people will not be permitted. Examples include chamber concerts of classical music, swing dance events, or the offering of local products.

"IPR will employ one coordinator who will have daily contact with participants and will organize the program with them. Anyone will be able to participate in the program," added Kolínská. The coordinator will oversee the operation of the mobile café or the cleaning.

According to the vision of Mayor Adriana Krnáčová (ANO), the square needs to be cleaned first after the parking lot closure, then portable chairs and tables, umbrellas, and several potted trees will be installed. One plane tree that grows in the square will be added.

An expert jury selected the design by architects Martin Hájek, Václav Hájek, and Petr Horský in the international architectural competition held in September 2014. Now, the municipal department of technical equipment is finalizing the regeneration study, which must subsequently be discussed and approved by the Prague councilors.

Against the cancellation of the parking lot, located near the Chamber of Deputies, some members of parliament had previously opposed, including Roman Váňa from the ČSSD and František Laudát (TOP 09), who also expressed doubts.