Conference on the Future Shape of the Old Town Square

Prague - On Tuesday, September 22, an international expert conference will be held at the New Town Hall on Mariánské náměstí, focusing on the future possible shape of the Old Town Square. It should also address the potential use of the plot that remains after the demolished wing of the Old Town Hall. Jiří Wolf, the spokesperson for the Prague City Hall, informed ČTK about this today. The conference is intended for the broadest expert as well as lay public. Participation from architecture school students is welcome.
    The conference will take place from 09:00 to 16:30, and more than 80 guests have already confirmed their attendance. Twelve contributions from selected experts, including those from abroad, will be presented in four thematic areas. An open discussion should evaluate the previous competitions, analyze the reasons for their failure, reflect on the current state, gather ideas for possible changes to the square, and indicate potential opportunities and limits of this space, Wolf stated.
    In February of last year, the city hall approved a procedure for possibly implementing changes to the Old Town Square, including the potential completion of the Old Town Hall. According to the press department of the city hall, an exhibition of previous competition proposals for the completion of the hall took place from April to June 2008. Seven competitions were held between 1901 and 1967, none of which had a winner. In May of this year, a historical architectural survey of the square was completed.
    The renewed idea of completing the hall was brought forth by the Prague ODS before the municipal elections. "We will not take the route of simply announcing another architectural competition for the completion of the hall, but in the broadest public and expert debate, we will attempt to assess the optimal needs and possibilities for utilizing this space in the context of the square and the broader center of Prague," stated Mayor Pavel Bém (ODS) earlier.