Praha is preparing a reconstruction of the Exhibition Grounds, revamping the paths and the surrounding area of the complex

Prague - The Prague Exhibition Grounds could undergo significant reconstruction in the future. The City Hall commissioned a study that proposes what to do with the area going forward. According to the document, the reconstruction should address the paths within the grounds, the surrounding area of the Exhibition Grounds, and the overall internal layout. The study, which is available to ČTK and was prepared by the Institute of Planning and Development of the Capital City (IPR), should serve as the starting document for decisions about the future of the area.
    "In general, it is necessary to propose operations and activities that will generate income, along with activities whose operation will meet the social, cultural, recreational, sports, educational, and other needs of the citizens and visitors of Prague," the IPR document states. In the past, the area was used for hosting the Matějská fair, concerts, conferences, exhibitions, and trade fairs; however, the area was not fully utilized throughout.
    "The public space at the interface between the site and the surrounding structures of the city is in a deplorable construction-technical condition," the material states. According to experts, the city must define the activities it wants to take place before entering the Exhibition Grounds, considering both the area and its surroundings.
    The current structure and routes of communications within the Exhibition Grounds, which date back to the reconstruction in 1991, are deemed inadequate according to the study. In the future, the paths should respect the historical layout and better connect the individual parts of the area. A portion of the current fencing near the sports hall is also set to be removed. According to the material, the fence is unnecessary and only separates the area from the city. Conversely, the fence between Stromovka and the grounds should be preserved, but it will have more entrances.
    Changes will also occur in the overall internal layout of the Exhibition Grounds. "For further development, it is necessary to clarify the Exhibition Grounds area by dividing it into zones based on prevailing activities," the document states. There should be five zones: a cultural zone, an open-air and amphitheater zone for cultural and commercial events, a leisure zone, a recreation zone, and a sports zone.
    The Exhibition Grounds has been leased by Incheba until the end of 2014. In the future, they will only host some exhibitions there but will not manage it. Whether the city will manage the site itself from 2015 or find a new manager has not yet been decided by Prague's leadership. Similarly, it is not yet determined from where Prague will obtain the estimated two billion for the renovation of the Exhibition Grounds.
    There has been no investment in the buildings in the Exhibition Grounds for many years, and their condition has also been affected by floods. A huge amount of damage was caused by a fire in which the western wing of the Industrial Palace burned down in 2008. Prague is now addressing how to finance the expensive repairs.