The conference Crossroads of Architecture will open the sensitive topic of public space

If we look at the environment we live in, we find that our impression of a given place is not formed solely by the buildings standing there, but also by the space between them, natural or artificially created elements filling these places. And that is precisely why "public discussions" about the "public space" around us evoke such strong emotions. There are always several imagined camps that clash in defense of their interests. Whether it concerns economic, political, social, ecological goals, or simple feelings about anticipated changes, compromise and a common path is usually very difficult to find. The Architecture Crossroads Conference decided to address all parties involved in these "battles" for public space and offered them an invitation to a professional discussion on specific issues faced by architects, developers, or representatives of state administration.

Cargo Station Žižkov, Strategy for public spaces in the city district of Prague 10, Pedestrian zone Cheb: public space vs. transport communication, Černošice: creation of a new local center, Prague River City - multifunctional complex Prague - Karlín: how the quality of public space influences the quality of a development project, or why many municipalities have not yet developed and approved a zoning plan, are just some of the topics that will be addressed on September 15, 2011, at the National Technical Library in Prague at the Architecture Crossroads Conference. The highlight of the conference on public space will be a lecture by architect Martin Rajniš and his view on public space in the spirit of natural architecture. The conference is primarily intended for professionals from the ranks of architects and developers, but representatives of local government will also engage in the expert discussion. This last-mentioned group of professionals may find the conference particularly beneficial, as all parties involved in the often tumultuous discussions about public space in cities and municipalities will share their experiences here.

"Around every larger project, you simply must build a consensus of owners, the public, politicians, authorities, and neighbors in any civilized country. The course of this process, however, is quite different in the USA and the Czech Republic. The difference lies mainly in the approach and willingness to cooperate towards a common goal. Here, almost all processes are very controversial, highly subjective, depend on vague rules and uninformed, often lay perceptions. This is a legacy of the previous regime. The development of every city has always been and will always be the result of agreements and compromises, based on shared ideological denominators, which we are today desperately lacking," says one of the speakers - architect Otto Dvořák, strategic and urban planning advisor for Discovery Group, whose flagship project is currently the revitalization of the northern part of the Žižkov cargo station. His project faces similar problems to those being resolved, for example, in Cheb, Litoměřice, Ústí nad Labem, or Černošice.

As part of the 3rd year of the Architecture Crossroads Conference, there will also be an exhibition of finalists of the Young Architect Award 2011, which will take place from September 12 to 17, 2011, in the foyer of the National Technical Library in Prague 6. The binding theme for submitted works was specifically public space. Visitors to the exhibition and conference will thus gain a comprehensive view of public space through the eyes of young architects as well as professionals with years of experience.

More information can be found at www.krizovatkyarchitektury.cz.

Topics of individual contributions at the Architecture Crossroads Conference:

• Pedestrian zone Cheb: public space vs. transport communication, Ing. arch. Jaroslav Wertig, A69 - Architects
• Černošice: creation of a new local center, prof. Ing. arch. Jaroslav Šafer, Ing. arch. Oldřich Hájek, Šafer Hájek architects, Ing. Michael Pánek, private investor
• Small urbanism: revitalization of the city center in Velká Bystřice, Mgr. Ivo Slavotínek, Vice Mayor, Ing. arch. Michal Sborwitz, author of the design
• Litomyšl: city - city architect - investor - public space, Ing. Miroslav Brýdl, former mayor, Michal Kortyš, mayor, Ing. arch. Zdeňka Vydrová, city architect
• Ústí nad Labem: public space and its changes after 1989, doc. Ing. arch. Jan Jehlík, FA CTU in Prague
• Piazetta of the New Stage of the National Theatre - unconventional use of public space, Marcela Straková, New Stage ND
• Street For Art - art festival in public space through the eyes of the public and local government, KC Zahrada
• Property-legal aspects of preparing investment projects, bnt- pravda & partner, s.r.o. (legal advice in the field of commercial law)
• Strategy for public spaces in the city district of Prague 10, Ing. arch. Kamil Kubiš, former head of the department of urban development in the city district of Prague 10
• Issues of public spaces in the zoning plan of the city of Litomyšl, Michal Kortyš, mayor, doc. Ing. arch. Petr Hrůša, Atelier Brno
• Public space in the context of sustainable development, Ing. arch. Michal Šourek, MSG holding
• Prague River City - multifunctional complex Prague - Karlín: how the quality of public space influences the quality of a development project, Petr Urbánek, M2 Real Estate
• BB Centrum - administrative-residential complex Prague 4: the relationship between the architect and the private investor/developer within a project that includes public space, Ing. arch. Jan Aulík, Ing. arch. Jakub Fišer, Aulík Fišer architects
• Cargo Station Žižkov - development intention and the citizen: on the relationships between the private investor and the public, Ing. arch. Otto Dvořák AIA, City Design International, Iaian Seller, Managing Director, Discovery Group
• Lecture on the topic of natural architecture, Martin Rajniš, e-MRAK

Patronage: Czech Chamber of Architects, Ministry of Regional Development
Main partner: FOR ARCH
Partner: LIGLASS
Partner of the accompanying exhibition: SPYRON
Main media partner: Construction Forum
Media partners: ERA21, eStav, ARCHITEKT, ASB, Development news, PVS, Modern community, BUILDER
Organizer: ABF