The magistrate and Prague 2 approved a memorandum for the modification of Karlovo náměstí

Prague - The Prague City Hall and Prague 2 have approved a memorandum on mutual cooperation in the reconstruction of Karlovo náměstí. It aims to address not only the reconstruction of the largest square in the Czech Republic but also its transportation, safety, and environmental issues. Mayor Pavel Bém (ODS) stated this to reporters today. Details will be announced by the city hall and the second municipal district at a joint press conference. Prague 2 has been trying to revamp the square for several years, but has encountered opposition from local residents and conservationists.
    The Prague 2 city hall announced a conceptual competition two years ago for proposals to modify Karlovo náměstí. However, conservationists disagree with the plan that emerged from the competition, citing concerns about the proposed underpass under Ječná Street.
    Prague 2 attempted to modify Karlovo náměstí several years ago, but the effort faced resistance from local residents who opposed tree felling.
    According to the city hall spokesperson Jiří Wolf, the memorandum outlines short-term, medium-term, and long-term measures that should begin this year. These include transportation changes aimed at alleviating traffic congestion in the square.
    "We would like to collaboratively restore Karlovo náměstí to its social, commercial, transportation, and recreational functions, which it has fulfilled since its inception within the New Town and all of Prague," said Bém.
    Conservationists have previously mentioned their desire to preserve the park in its original form, as designed by landscape architect and director of Prague's parks and gardens František Thomayer, brother of the renowned physician Josef Thomayer. The architect unified the entirety of the square and planted rows of resilient deciduous trees along its edge. However, according to Prague 2, this solution is outdated, as it did not account for the intense automotive traffic or the trams and metro.