Results of the XVIII. year of the competition for the best urban planning project
The Faculty of Architecture of the Czech Technical University in Prague, under the auspices of the Association for Urbanism and Spatial Planning, organized the 18th annual competition for the best urban design project by university students last year. The competition is held annually by the Institute of Spatial Planning of the faculty and invites all students from schools that have an urban or spatial planning project in their studio program. The jury is composed primarily of experts from urban practice who assess the quality of the work produced in the individual school studios from an "external" perspective. Traditionally, there has been representation in the jury from one member each of architectural schools from Prague, Brno, and Bratislava, and in this edition, a representative from the Faculty of Civil Engineering of the Czech Technical University in Prague was added. The costs associated with the competition prizes and rewards, as well as the exhibition of work from the past year, were sponsored by the Association for Urbanism and Spatial Planning of the Czech Republic, the urban planning firms ORCO Czech Republic, Urban Planning Center Brno, Cígler Marani Architects, and Casua. Individual participating schools also contributed according to their capacities, and the organizing Institute of Spatial Planning of the FA CTU also donated a financial contribution.
A total of 34 competition entries were submitted. Represented were schools from the Brno University of Technology (13 competition proposals), the Czech Technical University in Prague - Faculty of Architecture (10 competition proposals) and Faculty of Civil Engineering (7 competition proposals), and from the Slovak University of Technology in Bratislava – Faculty of Architecture (a total of 4 proposals).
The competition jury convened on January 10, 2013, composed of . architect Jan Sierociński-Vaněk, ORCO, Ing. arch. Tomáš Cach, Ing. arch. Petr Vávra, Association for Urbanism and Spatial Planning, Ing. arch. Lucie Poláková, Ministry of Regional Development of the Czech Republic, prof. Ing. arch. Karel Maier, CSc., Faculty of Architecture of the Czech Technical University in Prague, Ing. arch. František Pospíšil, Faculty of Civil Engineering of the Czech Technical University in Prague, Ing. arch. Alžbeta Sopirová, PhD., Faculty of Architecture of the Slovak University of Technology in Bratislava, doc. Ing. arch. Karel Havliš, Faculty of Architecture VUT in Brno. The secretary of the competition was appointed Ing. arch. Vít Řezáč from the organizing FA CTU in Prague.
The jury elected Ing. arch. Petr Vávra as its chair. The evaluation took place in two rounds. In the first round, the jury determined eleven qualifying works, and in the second round, they established the order of all selected works through individual assessment. Based on this, the prizes and rewards were determined.
The jury paid special attention to the quality of the analyses that were part of the assessed portfolios and their use in the conception of the proposed solutions.
1st Prize – URBAN STUDY JESENICE – GREEN TOWN – authors Martin Doležal, Kateřina Pšeničková, Jiří Krejčí, Jan Šlemr - FA CTU Prague, Atelier of Prof. Ing.arch. Karel Maier, CSc.
Jury evaluation:
The work of the group of four students from the Faculty of Architecture of CTU in Prague was evaluated as the best with a relatively convincing margin. The appropriate choice of topic (defining an urban vision for a relatively small settlement in the background of Prague impacted by suburbanization) and particularly the way the study was processed contributed to this. The balanced content of the study includes both an analytical part and a concept that defines and verifies the overall vision and objectives of the partial territorial subsystems, culminating in a comprehensible proposal for the transformation of Jesenice into a functionally more complex settlement.
The solution was not solely focused on proposing a solution for the urban structure of the settlement but comprehensively coordinated the solution of the surrounding landscape, the design of the urban layout, the arrangement of public space and its key locations, the localization of civic amenities, and development areas conceived with the possibility of revitalizing businesses and economic activities. An appealing element of the study was its graphic representation, which included not only the now-dominant computer-generated drawings but also hand-drawn perspective sketches.
2nd Prize – eSCAPE…PRAGUE MEETS WATERFRONT + REGULATORY PLAN KARLÍN – authors Michal Čapek, Kateřina Vondrová, Cyril Pavlů, Miroslav Nevlida – FA CTU Prague, Atelier Landscape Architecture Henry W.A.Hanson M.A., AIA, ASLA
Jury evaluation:
The task of the work was to propose an urban solution for the area around the confluence of the Vltava and Rokytka rivers, which would reduce flood risks, improve the functionality of the Vltava as a biocorridor, and create opportunities for the development of Libeň and Karlín, thus enabling economic valuation. The aim was to seek synergy, not just compromise.
The authors started from a broad analysis of the relationship between water and the city. Based on analyses of the historical riverbeds of the Vltava in the Holesovice meander area, they created a concept for the gradual recreation of an active river flow connected with a functional urban ecosystem that also reflects the need for green spaces accessibility in the city. The solution accepts floods and inundations as part of the functioning of the area and seeks non-conflictual relationships between the city and natural phenomena. The regulatory plan proposal for the selected part of Karlín’s territory and the execution project with a planting plan for the same area is based on this idea.
The jury appreciated the ambitious comprehensive approach to this exceptionally challenging topic, progressing from the entirety of the city down to detailed regulation. The work contains quality analyses of natural conditions (hydrography, sunlight) and systematically applies the results of these analyses in the urban concept and regulation. The jury members from urban practice praised the quality of regulation in the regulatory plan and the exceptionally well-executed water drainage plan in the execution project. A weaker point of the solution is the somewhat schematic presentation of the urban study.
3rd Prize – URBANIST STUDY ISTROCHEM BRATISLAVA – authors Kristína Hrebíčková, Katarína Michalková – FA STU Bratislava, Institute of Urbanism and Spatial Planning, supervisor Ing.arch. Alžbeta Sopirová, PhD.
Jury evaluation:
The subject of the work is the transformation of the area of the former Dimitrovka, currently the Istrochem chemical plant. The addressed location is situated in the broader center of Bratislava, between the main transportation routes, in direct proximity to the Vinohrady train station. The accessibility of the area from two main arteries and the proximity to the city center, as well as the possibility of utilizing the adjacent recreational area of Kuchajdy, are factors that make this part of the city an attractive location for potential development.
The work, based on thorough analyses of the larger area and the local area itself, proposed the development of the area primarily for housing and administration with the appropriate civic amenities. An interesting aspect is the sensitive integration of remnants of industrial heritage into the proposed municipal park, in the form of the footprint of former chemical tanks.
The jury appreciated the complexity of the work, the extensive scope of the addressed area, and the logical distribution of the various functions in the space. The proposed phasing of construction, which would allow for the development of this extensive area in stages, was rated positively.
Certain doubts were raised about the housing location near the railway track, particularly regarding compliance with protective zones. The absence of area balances was considered a shortcoming of the work.
Despite some minor deficiencies, the work was highly rated both conceptually and graphically.
Award – SVITAVSKÉ NÁBŘEŽÍ – authors Lenka Gulačová, Linda Pišová, Zdeňka Sedláková – FA VUT Brno, Modular Workshop M5, Doc.Dr.Ing.arch.Gabriel Kopáčik
Jury evaluation:
The work of three female students is particularly notable for its initial part, an extensive interdisciplinary analysis that is clear, comprehensible, and graphically inventive. The analysis indicates the purpose of the work, to discover and evaluate the urban potential of the Svitava riverbank along its entire course through the city of Brno. The authors' intention is clear from the analysis, to offer the river and its riverbanks as a public space of the city with a wide range of uses.
In this is perhaps the greatest value of the whole work, which debunks the schematic view of the river as a linear form functioning as a natural element in the city.
The second part of the work is a collection of proposals for possible modifications of selected parts of the Svitava riverbank using the method of urban interventions. However, the intention to demonstrate low-cost modifications for easily feasible actions appears somewhat superficial and staged; there is a lack of genuine urban assessments of the chosen locations, particularly their broader integration into the urban organism.
Award – LIBEŇ – authors Adam Látal, Jan Müller, Stanislav Bažant – FA CTU Prague, Institute of Design III, Atelier Ing. arch. Jan Sedlák
Jury evaluation:
The urban design deals with completing the space between the areas of Libeň, Holešovice, and Karlín. The jury praised especially the effort to create a clearly defined and legible urban multifunctional structure, which in many respects follows the traditional principles of block development from the end of the 19th and early 20th centuries in Prague. The character of the current settlement naturally and unobtrusively manifests itself in the newly shaped street network; however, the new center (“fortress”) perhaps dominates the surrounding landscape too strongly. The integration of urban waterways into the new buildings, particularly along Rohanské embankment, is very pleasing, as it lives up to its name and references the historically similar arrangement of Pobřežní Street. The project also includes basic balances for the proposal, yet unfortunately, the jury significantly missed an analytical part and the contextualization of the proposal within broader relationships, which are essential for such tasks. The potential problem seems to be the narrowing of the floodplain area around the Libeň Bridge. Despite these minor shortcomings, it is a successful work that offers an inspiring perspective on completing the current scar in the area.
Award – NÁMESTIE BANÍKOV V ROŽŇAVE – author Prikler – STU Bratislava, Institute of Urbanism and Spatial Planning, supervisor doc.Ing.arch.Ernest Nagy, PhD.
Jury evaluation:
The subject of the work is the reconstruction of Námestie baníkov in Rožňava, which is the central space of the city, whose origins date back to the Middle Ages. The uniqueness of the location arises from its historical value and adherence to the traditional arrangement and division of typical mining towns, characterized by their charm, where the heart and central zone in the organization of the city is the square. Currently, the square is burdened by transportation routes that disrupt the original "genius loci" and the usability of the main nodal spatial structure of the city as a gathering and representative square.
The concept of the Námestie Baníkov solution is based on the main pedestrian paths, sightlines to the dominant features, and the overall composition of the square. The centrally located church with a tower divides the square into two main spaces – representative and social, with functions for recreation and relaxation. Both spaces are situated within one square layout that delineates the main pedestrian zone. The adjacent commercial zone is located along the buildings. The reconstruction of the square fulfills the effort to restore representativeness, functionality, and clear operational relationships for the full use of the space by residents and visitors.
The jury appreciated the simple geometric solution of the proposal, which highlighted the square layout and enhanced the main dominant feature – the church. The excellent graphical level of the work, processed in great detail, was rated highly.
The awarded competition proposals were exhibited in the second half of March at the New Building of the CTU in Prague 6 – Dejvice. At the exhibition opening, the Dean of the Faculty of Architecture, prof. Ing. arch. Ir. Zdeněk Zavřel, emphasized the necessity of student competitions that allow for comparing students' works from different schools and provide feedback to teachers and students from practice.
Furthermore, the competition proposals will move to the conference of the Association for Urbanism and Spatial Planning in Žatec from April 18 to 19, to the VUT Faculty of Architecture in Brno from April 29 to May 10. From there, the proposals will go to the Faculty of Architecture STU in Bratislava from May 27 to June 7, and then return to Prague for Architecture Week from October 1 to 30, 2013.
This allows students, educators, and the professional public to become acquainted with the results of the competition and to assess the quality of training for urban planners and planners at our schools.
A selection of competition proposals can also be found at the internet address www.gis.cvut.cz.
A total of 34 competition entries were submitted. Represented were schools from the Brno University of Technology (13 competition proposals), the Czech Technical University in Prague - Faculty of Architecture (10 competition proposals) and Faculty of Civil Engineering (7 competition proposals), and from the Slovak University of Technology in Bratislava – Faculty of Architecture (a total of 4 proposals).
The competition jury convened on January 10, 2013, composed of . architect Jan Sierociński-Vaněk, ORCO, Ing. arch. Tomáš Cach, Ing. arch. Petr Vávra, Association for Urbanism and Spatial Planning, Ing. arch. Lucie Poláková, Ministry of Regional Development of the Czech Republic, prof. Ing. arch. Karel Maier, CSc., Faculty of Architecture of the Czech Technical University in Prague, Ing. arch. František Pospíšil, Faculty of Civil Engineering of the Czech Technical University in Prague, Ing. arch. Alžbeta Sopirová, PhD., Faculty of Architecture of the Slovak University of Technology in Bratislava, doc. Ing. arch. Karel Havliš, Faculty of Architecture VUT in Brno. The secretary of the competition was appointed Ing. arch. Vít Řezáč from the organizing FA CTU in Prague.
The jury elected Ing. arch. Petr Vávra as its chair. The evaluation took place in two rounds. In the first round, the jury determined eleven qualifying works, and in the second round, they established the order of all selected works through individual assessment. Based on this, the prizes and rewards were determined.
The jury paid special attention to the quality of the analyses that were part of the assessed portfolios and their use in the conception of the proposed solutions.
1st Prize – URBAN STUDY JESENICE – GREEN TOWN – authors Martin Doležal, Kateřina Pšeničková, Jiří Krejčí, Jan Šlemr - FA CTU Prague, Atelier of Prof. Ing.arch. Karel Maier, CSc.
Jury evaluation:
The work of the group of four students from the Faculty of Architecture of CTU in Prague was evaluated as the best with a relatively convincing margin. The appropriate choice of topic (defining an urban vision for a relatively small settlement in the background of Prague impacted by suburbanization) and particularly the way the study was processed contributed to this. The balanced content of the study includes both an analytical part and a concept that defines and verifies the overall vision and objectives of the partial territorial subsystems, culminating in a comprehensible proposal for the transformation of Jesenice into a functionally more complex settlement.
The solution was not solely focused on proposing a solution for the urban structure of the settlement but comprehensively coordinated the solution of the surrounding landscape, the design of the urban layout, the arrangement of public space and its key locations, the localization of civic amenities, and development areas conceived with the possibility of revitalizing businesses and economic activities. An appealing element of the study was its graphic representation, which included not only the now-dominant computer-generated drawings but also hand-drawn perspective sketches.
2nd Prize – eSCAPE…PRAGUE MEETS WATERFRONT + REGULATORY PLAN KARLÍN – authors Michal Čapek, Kateřina Vondrová, Cyril Pavlů, Miroslav Nevlida – FA CTU Prague, Atelier Landscape Architecture Henry W.A.Hanson M.A., AIA, ASLA
Jury evaluation:
The task of the work was to propose an urban solution for the area around the confluence of the Vltava and Rokytka rivers, which would reduce flood risks, improve the functionality of the Vltava as a biocorridor, and create opportunities for the development of Libeň and Karlín, thus enabling economic valuation. The aim was to seek synergy, not just compromise.
The authors started from a broad analysis of the relationship between water and the city. Based on analyses of the historical riverbeds of the Vltava in the Holesovice meander area, they created a concept for the gradual recreation of an active river flow connected with a functional urban ecosystem that also reflects the need for green spaces accessibility in the city. The solution accepts floods and inundations as part of the functioning of the area and seeks non-conflictual relationships between the city and natural phenomena. The regulatory plan proposal for the selected part of Karlín’s territory and the execution project with a planting plan for the same area is based on this idea.
The jury appreciated the ambitious comprehensive approach to this exceptionally challenging topic, progressing from the entirety of the city down to detailed regulation. The work contains quality analyses of natural conditions (hydrography, sunlight) and systematically applies the results of these analyses in the urban concept and regulation. The jury members from urban practice praised the quality of regulation in the regulatory plan and the exceptionally well-executed water drainage plan in the execution project. A weaker point of the solution is the somewhat schematic presentation of the urban study.
3rd Prize – URBANIST STUDY ISTROCHEM BRATISLAVA – authors Kristína Hrebíčková, Katarína Michalková – FA STU Bratislava, Institute of Urbanism and Spatial Planning, supervisor Ing.arch. Alžbeta Sopirová, PhD.
Jury evaluation:
The subject of the work is the transformation of the area of the former Dimitrovka, currently the Istrochem chemical plant. The addressed location is situated in the broader center of Bratislava, between the main transportation routes, in direct proximity to the Vinohrady train station. The accessibility of the area from two main arteries and the proximity to the city center, as well as the possibility of utilizing the adjacent recreational area of Kuchajdy, are factors that make this part of the city an attractive location for potential development.
The work, based on thorough analyses of the larger area and the local area itself, proposed the development of the area primarily for housing and administration with the appropriate civic amenities. An interesting aspect is the sensitive integration of remnants of industrial heritage into the proposed municipal park, in the form of the footprint of former chemical tanks.
The jury appreciated the complexity of the work, the extensive scope of the addressed area, and the logical distribution of the various functions in the space. The proposed phasing of construction, which would allow for the development of this extensive area in stages, was rated positively.
Certain doubts were raised about the housing location near the railway track, particularly regarding compliance with protective zones. The absence of area balances was considered a shortcoming of the work.
Despite some minor deficiencies, the work was highly rated both conceptually and graphically.
Award – SVITAVSKÉ NÁBŘEŽÍ – authors Lenka Gulačová, Linda Pišová, Zdeňka Sedláková – FA VUT Brno, Modular Workshop M5, Doc.Dr.Ing.arch.Gabriel Kopáčik
Jury evaluation:
The work of three female students is particularly notable for its initial part, an extensive interdisciplinary analysis that is clear, comprehensible, and graphically inventive. The analysis indicates the purpose of the work, to discover and evaluate the urban potential of the Svitava riverbank along its entire course through the city of Brno. The authors' intention is clear from the analysis, to offer the river and its riverbanks as a public space of the city with a wide range of uses.
In this is perhaps the greatest value of the whole work, which debunks the schematic view of the river as a linear form functioning as a natural element in the city.
The second part of the work is a collection of proposals for possible modifications of selected parts of the Svitava riverbank using the method of urban interventions. However, the intention to demonstrate low-cost modifications for easily feasible actions appears somewhat superficial and staged; there is a lack of genuine urban assessments of the chosen locations, particularly their broader integration into the urban organism.
Award – LIBEŇ – authors Adam Látal, Jan Müller, Stanislav Bažant – FA CTU Prague, Institute of Design III, Atelier Ing. arch. Jan Sedlák
Jury evaluation:
The urban design deals with completing the space between the areas of Libeň, Holešovice, and Karlín. The jury praised especially the effort to create a clearly defined and legible urban multifunctional structure, which in many respects follows the traditional principles of block development from the end of the 19th and early 20th centuries in Prague. The character of the current settlement naturally and unobtrusively manifests itself in the newly shaped street network; however, the new center (“fortress”) perhaps dominates the surrounding landscape too strongly. The integration of urban waterways into the new buildings, particularly along Rohanské embankment, is very pleasing, as it lives up to its name and references the historically similar arrangement of Pobřežní Street. The project also includes basic balances for the proposal, yet unfortunately, the jury significantly missed an analytical part and the contextualization of the proposal within broader relationships, which are essential for such tasks. The potential problem seems to be the narrowing of the floodplain area around the Libeň Bridge. Despite these minor shortcomings, it is a successful work that offers an inspiring perspective on completing the current scar in the area.
Award – NÁMESTIE BANÍKOV V ROŽŇAVE – author Prikler – STU Bratislava, Institute of Urbanism and Spatial Planning, supervisor doc.Ing.arch.Ernest Nagy, PhD.
Jury evaluation:
The subject of the work is the reconstruction of Námestie baníkov in Rožňava, which is the central space of the city, whose origins date back to the Middle Ages. The uniqueness of the location arises from its historical value and adherence to the traditional arrangement and division of typical mining towns, characterized by their charm, where the heart and central zone in the organization of the city is the square. Currently, the square is burdened by transportation routes that disrupt the original "genius loci" and the usability of the main nodal spatial structure of the city as a gathering and representative square.
The concept of the Námestie Baníkov solution is based on the main pedestrian paths, sightlines to the dominant features, and the overall composition of the square. The centrally located church with a tower divides the square into two main spaces – representative and social, with functions for recreation and relaxation. Both spaces are situated within one square layout that delineates the main pedestrian zone. The adjacent commercial zone is located along the buildings. The reconstruction of the square fulfills the effort to restore representativeness, functionality, and clear operational relationships for the full use of the space by residents and visitors.
The jury appreciated the simple geometric solution of the proposal, which highlighted the square layout and enhanced the main dominant feature – the church. The excellent graphical level of the work, processed in great detail, was rated highly.
The awarded competition proposals were exhibited in the second half of March at the New Building of the CTU in Prague 6 – Dejvice. At the exhibition opening, the Dean of the Faculty of Architecture, prof. Ing. arch. Ir. Zdeněk Zavřel, emphasized the necessity of student competitions that allow for comparing students' works from different schools and provide feedback to teachers and students from practice.
Furthermore, the competition proposals will move to the conference of the Association for Urbanism and Spatial Planning in Žatec from April 18 to 19, to the VUT Faculty of Architecture in Brno from April 29 to May 10. From there, the proposals will go to the Faculty of Architecture STU in Bratislava from May 27 to June 7, and then return to Prague for Architecture Week from October 1 to 30, 2013.
This allows students, educators, and the professional public to become acquainted with the results of the competition and to assess the quality of training for urban planners and planners at our schools.
A selection of competition proposals can also be found at the internet address www.gis.cvut.cz.
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