Experts: The new Metropolitan Plan for Prague will allow for the utilization of brownfields

Prague - The new Metropolitan Plan for Prague, proposed by the Institute of Planning and Development (IPR), will enable the effective use of brownfields, that is, unused areas at the sites of former factories or warehouses. Most experts consulted by ČTK today agreed on this. However, they noted that when densifying from the center to the outskirts, it is necessary to proceed sensitively and not to unnecessarily eliminate green spaces. Some are bothered that Prague does not want to develop vertically. According to others, it is too early to evaluate the impacts.

On Monday, the IPR handed over the proposal for the Metropolitan Plan for Prague to the City Hall. The document will be open for comments for 30 days starting June 27. The Metropolitan Plan is expected to dictate all construction in the capital from 2023 onwards.

"From a real estate perspective, it is very important that the IPR is addressing the situation, as the current pace of construction, especially of new apartments, is insufficient and the demand for housing in the Prague agglomeration is very high. Additionally, it is important to pay attention to the quality of life and not to unnecessarily eliminate green spaces," stated Ondřej Mašín, director of the Bidli real estate agency.

According to Miroslav Linhart, head of the real estate team at consulting company Deloitte, there will be a long discussion about the proposed plan. "I am glad that this proposal carries some of the main tenets of the approved development strategy for Prague. That is, the densification of the city from the center to the outskirts, particularly through the development of brownfields. This is important for achieving greater efficiency of existing public transport and civic amenities," noted Linhart.

Jan Zachystal from the RE/MAX real estate agency stated that the planned removal of some construction closures is unequivocally positive news for the housing situation in the metropolis. "Brownfields, such as some areas in Vysočany and even the freight station in Žižkov, are ideal opportunities for building residential complexes in the wider city center without encroaching on green spaces," added Zachystal.

According to analyst Lukáš Kovanda from Cyrrus, the Metropolitan Plan for Prague will clarify the situation regarding future construction and provide construction companies and developers with a desirable authoritative guide. "Densifying construction at the expense of parks and greenery may not be detrimental if done sensitively and in moderation. It will contribute to alleviating the pressures on increasing rental prices for both commercial and residential properties," stated Kovanda.

Analyst Štěpán Křeček from BH Securities noted that the new zoning plan creates new regulations that will prevent Prague from developing vertically. "In this respect, it will not follow modern world metropolises that address space shortages through high-rise buildings," added Křeček.

According to Evžen Korec, director of the development company Ekospol, the proposal came just five minutes before it was too late, as the current zoning plan should have been updated back in 2010. "The proposal brings several positive changes. The main one is the emphasis on the revitalization of brownfields, which are currently a nightmare for many locations," said Korec. However, he noted that the plan focuses too much on construction in the wider center, while people prefer housing in more peripheral areas of Prague with good transport connectivity.

David Jirušek, spokesperson for the development company Finep, stated that it is still too early to assess the proposal. "We anticipate that a more detailed insight will only be possible after deeper analysis. This is being handled by independent experts whom we have consulted for this purpose. However, for them, analyzing the document is also very difficult. We can only sympathize with the residents of Prague who must be literally lost in it," added Jirušek.