Plzeň has selected a proposal to transform Míru Square into a functional space

Plzeň - Plzeň's Míru Square is set to undergo a transformation aimed at creating an open, welcoming, and functional space. In January, the city announced an anonymous architectural competition, which received 12 submissions. The jury selected the solution proposed by the FLERA and DICE25 architects, which, according to them, restores dignity to the space, provides a quality environment for everyday life, and sensitively engages with the historical context. The results of the competition were approved today by the city council, and the city will now invite the winning team to negotiate on the development of the project documentation, said Pavel Bosák (Pirates), the technical deputy mayor, to ČTK.

Míru Square is one of the most significant public spaces in Borech and the South Suburbs. It was established at the end of the 19th century as a botanical garden. Each tree had a porcelain plaque with the name of the species. It still retains the character of an open city park, but mainly serves as a transit corridor and a public transport hub. Therefore, the city required architects in the competition to design a form of the area that would allow for sitting, having coffee, letting children play in the playground, meeting friends, or resting for a while.

It was also important to consider the suggestions of local residents who live nearby and expressed their opinions on the new appearance of the square. The most common requests included a water feature, more seating areas, and a more pleasant atmosphere. "I am glad that the winning team managed to transform the residents' wishes into a coherent and functional solution that has the potential to significantly improve the quality of public space. It is evident that the proposal was developed with an understanding of how people actually use the square. I appreciate that the authors focused not only on aesthetics but also on the practical functioning of the place,” said Bosák. The winning proposal includes adjustments to pathways, flower beds, new furniture, and a water feature.

The jury chairman, Vladimír Sitta, praised the clear concept and well-thought-out outline of the proposal. "It’s not just about a nice space, but about a place that has its rhythm, logic, and atmosphere. The winning team managed to combine the history of the area with the needs of the contemporary city,” he stated.

According to Mayor Roman Zarzycký (ANO), the winning proposal offers a solution that respects the character of the place and provides a clear vision of how the square can operate in daily use. "This is an important step toward making the space a fully-fledged center of the neighborhood where people feel comfortable and want to visit. The winner is backed by top architects led by Ferdinand Leffler, which, for me personally, guarantees that the entire space will work not only on paper but also in practice,” added the mayor.

The city will invite the winner to negotiations on the development of project documentation, which will include the refinement of the proposal, project documentation, and author supervision. The city plans to award the contract through a negotiation procedure without publication. All competition proposals will be presented in June at the exhibition New Face of Mírák in the building of Czech Radio Plzeň, which is also located in the square.