The modification of Brno's Kapitán Jaroš Street will offer more space for relaxation and reduce the number of cars

Brno - The Brno street Captain Jaroš is bordered by barriers from Milady Horákové street. Approximately a thirty-five meter section, where a pedestrian zone has been in effect since the beginning of March, is ready for transformation. This involves adjustments to sidewalks, roadway, and a reduction in parking spaces. Completion is expected in May. The project is part of so-called tactical urbanism, which is a process where a new function and design of urban space is "tested." The temporary phase will last about three years, followed by a reconstruction of the entire approximately half-kilometer street. Šárka Reichmannová, spokesperson for the Office of the City Architect (KAM) in Brno, which prepared the project, said this today to ČTK.

According to KAM, the reason for the adjustments is that the current state of the street with historic buildings from the 19th century is generally unsatisfactory. "It primarily serves as a capacity parking lot, the existing asphalt surfaces are at the end of their lifespan, greenery is degraded by traffic and necessary repairs lead to an incoherent solution for individual parts of the street," the office stated on its website. Since last spring, regular monitoring focused on the movement and behavior of people in the street has been conducted. Monitoring and data collection will continue to allow for ongoing evaluation of the impacts of the changes. Last year, a survey of residents' and passersby’s opinions on the future shape of the street was also conducted.

New planters and furniture will be added to the area, with the aim of creating a space for relaxation, leisure activities, and refreshments. This will also change the ratio between automobile traffic and space for pedestrians. Vehicles for transport service will be allowed entry, and five reserved spaces for service will remain. Additionally, access to properties will not be restricted. However, the number of parking spaces will decrease by 30. This is seven percent of the total capacity of the street. According to the occupancy survey, this reduction in spaces should be compensated by available capacities in the street and surrounding area. KAM will evaluate the changes, which will serve as a basis for the planned future reconstruction of the street.