UNESCO inspectors met with NPÚ and the Club for Old Prague

Prague - Inspectors from the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), who came to Prague to assess the impact of several constructions on the Prague Monument Reservation, today discussed, among other topics, with representatives of the National Heritage Institute (NPÚ), the Czech branch of the International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS), and the Club for Old Prague. According to Kateřina Bečková from the Club for Old Prague, both inspectors listened closely but did not comment on the proceedings, so their conclusions cannot be predicted yet.
    Bečková told ČTK that the Club for Old Prague informed the inspectors primarily about the planned construction in the courtyard between Wenceslas Square and the streets Panská, Jindřišská, and Na Příkopech. "We told them that we disapprove of the violation of the historical parcel delineation of that block, as it involves the demolition of internal courtyard structures of several buildings and their construction without regard to the original parcels with new buildings that, from our perspective, are significantly oversized," said Bečková.
    Concern over the construction in the courtyard was also expressed before the commissioners by the NPÚ director, Naďa Goryczková. She allegedly stated that the institute would try to explore options to prevent the construction from being realized at such a volume.
    Discussions also touched on the skyscrapers in Pankrác, although the commissioners reportedly indicated that it is not an immediate matter for them. "As far as I know, they had in their agenda discussions about certain Prague train stations and especially about the Blanka tunnel," added Bečková.
    UNESCO experts were interested in whether and how the construction of the Blanka tunnel and the planned construction of tunnels under the National Museum, known as the museum mile, will impact the capital's monument reservation. According to Bečková, representatives of ICOMOS, NPÚ, and the Ministry of Culture participated in the discussions. Notably, renowned architect Vlado Milunič, co-author of the Dancing House, also spoke about Pankrác.
    At first, the UNESCO inspectors met only with the management of NPÚ for about an hour and a half, after which they spoke with others for another approximately hour and fifteen minutes. Already on Wednesday, the inspectors also questioned representatives of the Association of Associations for the Protection and Development of Cultural Heritage (ASORKD), the non-profit organization Arnika, and other civic associations about the high-rise buildings in Pankrác, Charles Bridge, the Prague Monument Reservation in general, and the construction in the courtyard near Wenceslas Square.
    Welwyn Company, a.s. plans to build a new commercial and office center in the courtyard near Wenceslas Square. The block of buildings was purchased six years ago for 800 million crowns. The center is expected to offer 70,000 square meters of commercial, recreational, and office space and three levels of underground garages. The study submitted by the investor was rejected by heritage officials last June. However, they agree to the removal of newer extensions and dilapidated structures in the courtyard.
    The reconstruction of Charles Bridge began in August 2007. In November two years ago, the Ministry of Culture stated that the aesthetic and artistic value of the bridge had suffered significantly during the repairs. The inspection was primarily disturbed by the replacement of blocks in the bridge railing. The city hall protested against its conclusions, but the ministry did not accept its objections. Last summer, the city hall ultimately fined itself 54,000 crowns for the shortcomings during the reconstruction of the bridge. ASORKD is demanding that the work be stopped immediately.
    Due to the planned construction of high-rise buildings in Pankrác, UNESCO expressed "serious concern" in 2007. According to Arnika, the skyscrapers that the company ECM plans to build would affect the city’s skyline and destroy its unique character.
    ECM has already obtained a zoning decision for a 104-meter tall building in the shape of a V with luxury apartments and a 75-meter tall oval hotel. Several civic associations have sued the Prague City Hall over this. According to Martin Skalský from Arnika, the court has so far annulled the transportation arrangement for the construction, due to which he believes that the construction should not receive a building permit at all. "So far, it does not seem that anyone wants to do anything about this," Skalský told ČTK regarding the building permit process.
    The UNESCO World Heritage Committee meets once a year, usually in June or July; this year the committee members will gather in Brazil. Last year, at the meeting in Seville, Spain, the committee expressed "its deep concern regarding the potential impacts of the Blanka tunnel complex." This tunnel will run from the Pelc Tyrolka intersection to Myslbekova Street as part of the northwestern section of the inner ring road of the metropolis.
    The UNESCO World Heritage Committee decides which monuments will be inscribed on the World Heritage List. However, the committee can also transfer them to the endangered monuments list and subsequently remove them from the official list.