Experts: Prague's building regulations are confusing and nonsensical

Prague - The construction regulations in Prague are confusing in relation to the building law and often introduce nonsensical rules that do not meet, among other things, the requirements for housing safety. The regulations governing construction in Prague have not been discussed with experts and municipalities, and it remains unclear who their author is. Ladislav Bukovský stated this at a press conference of the Czech Chamber of Authorized Engineers and Technicians Active in Construction (ČKAIT) today. The criticism does not surprise Mayor Adriana Krnáčová (ANO). According to her, ČKAIT has consistently expressed negative views, while reactions from industry professionals are reportedly positive. After many complications, the construction regulations will come into effect on August 1.

According to Bukovský, this is a legal regulation that, among other things, will lead to an extension of the construction time in Prague. "The regulations will simultaneously mean significant complications for site managers and designers regarding responsibility for construction. They may bring savings for developers, but will harm citizens, especially those with disabilities," said Bukovský.

ČKAIT today pointed out, among other things, the ambiguities related to the rules on lighting in living spaces. It is reportedly unclear how the lighting will be assessed. They do not understand why the dimensions of windows, staircases, or the height of apartments are changing. "We would like the same technical parameters to apply throughout the Czech Republic," stated ČKAIT chairman Pavel Křeček.

"It is interesting that I was at the Construction Forum today, where people from various spheres of real estate and construction industries were present, and no such criticisms were voiced," Mayor Krnáčová told ČTK in response. However, she was not surprised by ČKAIT's statement. They would prefer that Prague did not have its own construction regulations at all, she infers from previous negative responses. "I spoke with architects, developers, and other representatives from the real estate and construction industries, and the reactions to PSP (Prague construction regulations) are very positive," she stated.

The amendment was originally prepared by then-mayor Tomáš Hudeček (independent, formerly of TOP 09) and after the elections by former mayor's deputy Matěj Stropnický (SZ/Trojkoalice). The latest version, which will take effect from August, was prepared by her office, according to earlier statements by Krnáčová. Both Hudeček and Stropnický criticize today's version. They believe it does not regulate sufficiently - according to Hudeček, advertising, and according to Stropnický, developers' plans.

In protest against Hudeček's regulations, the billboard lobby launched a strong media campaign in 2014. It opposed the advertising regulation introduced by the regulations. At the same time, it addressed the longstanding contract between Prague and JCDecaux, which allegedly disadvantages competitors in the advertising field. Architects and developers, on the other hand, welcomed the change.

The Ministry for Regional Development suspended the effectiveness of the original construction regulations last January for 15 months. Subsequently, it filed a constitutional complaint regarding them. The construction regulations, which are an implementing regulation to the building law, generally define the requirements for land use and technical requirements for buildings. The government is currently discussing an amendment to the building law, which may abolish the possibility for Prague to create its own regulations. Prague has had its construction regulations as the only city in the country for more than 100 years.