Prague residents can comment on the proposal of the Metropolitan Plan from today until June 30

Prague - Residents of Prague can submit feedback on the draft Metropolitan Plan from today until June 30. Comments and objections can be submitted electronically via the plan's website and the Citizen Portal, or in person. At the same time, they can familiarize themselves with it until June 28 at the Center for Architecture and Urban Planning (CAMP) at the Institute of Planning and Development (IPR) in Emauzy. City and IPR officials informed journalists today. The plan will determine what can be built where in Prague.

After addressing the comments, the draft will be discussed with public administration, and ultimately it will be debated by Prague councilors. When this will happen is not yet clear. According to IPR's expectations, it should come into effect in 2023.

"The Metropolitan Plan is the most significant document for the next decade, as it predetermines the further development of the city. The current zoning plan realistically dates back to 1994, and surely we all understand that the times have changed since then," said Mayor Zdeněk Hřib (Pirates).

The easiest way to express one's opinion on the draft is electronically. On the mentioned website, each visitor is guided by a directory to choose whether it is a comment or an objection, which can only be submitted by property owners, and then mark a specific location on the map, or the entire area. Finally, they write the text of their comment.

IPR will launch an information campaign, part of which includes an exhibition at CAMP, where people can learn about how the plan works. They can also view the draft in printed form. From Tuesday to Thursday, from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM, IPR staff will be available to answer questions or assist with submitting comments. On May 9, IPR will send out an informational container into the streets. Spots will be broadcast and posters will be posted on main themes, including greenery, public spaces, and amenities, as well as affordable housing. There will also be workshops, meetings with experts, and lectures. "In addition, there will be two large outdoor walks on significant topics," said IPR director Ondřej Boháč.

After the comments period ends, IPR will process the comments, which will then be discussed with public administration. When this will happen will depend on the amount of feedback received.

People became acquainted with the first version of the draft in 2018, when they could also submit feedback, amounting to thousands. IPR subsequently processed them and incorporated them as needed. Objections were raised at that time by ministries and authorities.

The plan is one of the documents that determine construction in Prague. In contrast to the current zoning plan, the metropolitan plan addresses height regulations, for example. It also does not only take into account the functional use of land but also the character of the area and city districts, that is, how they may look. The plan focuses on several crucial areas, namely climate change, housing, public spaces, and amenities.

There have been disputes surrounding the new plan in the past, which temporarily resulted in the departure of its main author, architect Roman Koucký. Ultimately, he returned to lead the team preparing the plan after winning a tender. However, the preparation has been delayed. It was originally supposed to come into effect in 2020, but the Chamber of Deputies extended the deadline by three years. The preparation of the plan began under Mayor Tomáš Hudeček (independent, then TOP 09).