Prague in the Motol Valley will calm the streets and uncover the streambed

Prague – The Prague City Hall is planning a transformation of the Motol Valley in Prague 5. In the future, it aims to calm busy streets Plzeňská and Vrchlického, plant trees, create public spaces and squares in Košíře, and uncover the riverbed of the Motol Stream. This was announced to journalists yesterday by Deputy Mayors Petr Hlaváček (for TOP 09) and Adam Scheinherr (Praha Sobě) along with architect Boris Redčenkov from the A69 studio. It is not clear when exactly the changes will take place. The council approved a study today according to which the changes will be prepared.

One of the most significant changes will be the calming of Plzeňská and Vrchlického. Tree rows will be added, barriers at intersections will be removed, and sidewalks will be repaved and widened. Vrchlického, which drivers use to enter the center, could become two-way in the future.

At several locations, the Motol Stream will be uncovered. "Many of us are unaware that it flows through this area, and we would like to uncover it, which will also help with water management," said Redčenkov. The Košířské Square, which currently functions as a large parking lot, will also undergo transformation. The Motol Stream is currently piped beneath it. It will be uncovered here, creating a fully-fledged square according to the architect.

However, the implementation of the plan is connected in many ways, especially in traffic, with the completion of the Radlická radial road. After it starts operating, part of the drivers will shift to it. Therefore, the streets in the Motol Valley will be able to be calmed in some places. This also applies to adjacent streets, where, among other things, sidewalks will be widened and new public spaces created.

Some changes, however, could be made even before the Radlická radial road is operational. According to Redčenkov, Prague 5 has ten projects that could be developed independently. These include the reconstruction of the former tram depot in Košíře, a footbridge from Paví vrch to Mrázovka, or uncovering the Motol Stream in front of the settlement of Buďánka. "We are trying to have trees planted on Plzeňská already now, as well as repave the sidewalks," said the architect.

In the future, the form and functioning of public transport will also need to be discussed, for which a separate study will be prepared. This particularly concerns the organization of traffic and the placement of tram stops.

The council today approved the study of changes in the valley, which began development in 2016. The study establishes an urban-architectural solution for the area from Anděl to Bucharova Street. It identifies problematic construction projects and integrates them into the urbanized structures of the locality. According to Hlaváček, it is necessary to learn from the construction of the Blanka tunnel, where after its commissioning Prague did not have measures prepared on the surface.