The Vltava Philharmonic will not significantly burden the environment according to the EIA

Prague - The Vltava Philharmonic, which Prague plans to build, should not have a significant negative impact on the environment according to the EIA documentation. The impact of the construction and subsequent operation will be acceptable for individual components of the environment, according to the documentation. This was reported today by the spokesman for the Prague City Hall, Vít Hofman. The city plans to start construction in 2027, and the building could be opened to the public in 2033. The estimated cost is 11.65 billion crowns.

"The Vltava Philharmonic project will not represent a significant deterioration of the environment, and the impact on individual components of the environment will be acceptable," stated the Prague City Hall, referencing the conclusion of the EIA documentation. The city had it processed by the EKOLA group, which has the relevant authorization, and submitted it for assessment this May.

The documentation evaluates the impact of the project on various factors such as air quality, climate, noise, water regime, landscape, and biodiversity. The subject of the assessed proposal is not only the construction of the building but also the alterations of the surroundings. The document thoroughly analyzes the potential impacts of the project on individual components of the environment, the city hall stated. According to Hofman, both the construction process and its subsequent operation were assessed. The assessment also considered what overall impact the philharmonic could have in conjunction with other planned projects in the vicinity.

"From the beginning, we have been preparing the Vltava Philharmonic with an emphasis on consideration for both the urban and natural environments. The EIA process is crucial in this regard - it allows us to transparently and professionally verify that the project will bring not only quality architecture and program content to Prague and the entire Czech Republic but also an attractive public space without undue impacts," stated the deputy mayor Petr Hlaváček (STAN).

In the commentary procedure, 24 entities, including public institutions, organizations, and individuals from the public, submitted written comments on the EIA documentation. All comments received will now be evaluated by an independent reviewer. The result will be the basis for issuing an official opinion from the Department of Environmental Protection of the Prague City Hall. This will also be one of the main documents on which the decision regarding the construction permit will be based.

The philharmonic is expected to have three underground and six above-ground floors and will feature three halls - one large concert hall for about 1,800 seated people, a second chamber hall with 500 seats and standing room, and a third multifunctional hall that can accommodate 620 seated or 1,200 standing people. According to the document, the plan will also include several other constructions, such as tunnels ensuring transport connection for the complex, alterations to the riverfront, changes in transport infrastructure like the relocation of tram tracks, the construction of new intersections, and the building of a new metro vestibule.

The City Hall is striving for co-financing of the construction by the state and the involvement of private investors. Recently, city councilors approved the establishment of a fundraising campaign. According to the leadership of the city hall, the construction of the new cultural center is intended to initiate the transformation of the surrounding area of Bubny-Zátory, where a neighborhood for up to 25,000 people is planned to be developed.