Klárov
urban planning
project detail
Solution of urban relations
The basic problem of the defined site is its identity. Or rather, the lack of a clear identity. The site is neither sufficiently urban nor convincingly park-like. It is neither vegetated nor conceived. It is neither a dignified bridgehead nor a representative entrance to the Lesser Side and Prague Castle. It has not even found a clear relationship to the river. It gives the impression of fragmentation and disjointedness. The scraps of unrelated and mainly unfinished concepts (large palace buildings, farm buildings, hints of block structure, hints of park landscaping, accentuation of corners, technical and engineering buildings, etc.) make it a periphery in the centre of Prague. The image of the place absolutely does not correspond to its significance. Yet its value is quite clear; it is an important contour of the Lesser Town, with a strong historical axis running through it. It is the foreground of one of the most iconic images of Prague. But neither of these facts is expressed. The prevailing image is of a convoluted and busy transport hub in a sprawling development. More attractive than the site itself are the views of Prague's landmarks from it. The insufficiently articulated value and character of the site has been reflected in recent years by the fact that it has become an easy prey for usurpers of public space and monument makers. A place where anything can happen. We consider it important to supplement the study with an analysis of the image of the place, to define the aspects that have created and shaped this image. To identify the phenomena and elements of the image, their authenticity, actuality and acceptability.
Public space and transport solutions
The extensive public spaces are currently treated as roads or park areas of low residential quality (especially when confronted with the high standard of gardens in the immediate area). Given the amount of public open space, it would be good to create a more hierarchical scale with different uses. This would also promote the identifiability of locations within such a large area. The fragmented nature of the site is matched by the relatively lively traffic patterns. Although the concept of car traffic envisages modifications, this is not a complete solution to the collision points; problematic junctions aggravated by tram traffic and, above all, to the safety and comfort of the Malostranská interchange. Calming traffic around the boarding islands and integrating them into the pedestrian areas in the form of a "Vienna island" will improve the situation, but will not solve it. The concept of K+R and taxi service on Malostranská is not incorporated. The solution of traffic calm is not adequate to the needs and importance of the place.
Efficiency and cost-effectiveness of the solution
The area under consideration includes only economically passive areas. Therefore, it cannot be assumed that the costs of revitalisation will be capitalised or even recovered. The economic effect can be assumed to be secondary in terms of increasing the attractiveness of the site or, for example, in terms of reducing accident rates and resulting insurance claims. The standard and quality of a place will continue to be dependent on maintenance or the amount of resources devoted to it. From this perspective, we understand the need for the proposed improvements to be low maintenance. It would be interesting to complement the study with consideration of appropriate forms of commercial appreciation of the high frequency of pedestrian movement, especially public transport passengers and tourists (extension of the parterre, etc.).
Choice of career path
A conceptual study is a multidisciplinary project combining technical, sociological, historiographical, organisational and cultural erudition. The architect is the mediator and coordinator of all experts in the process of its creation. The aim of his activity is to provide a superstructure to the sub-specialties, linking and evaluating them. Participatory methods are to be considered, but this is somewhat problematic given the nature of the site, as there is no significant local community. There is a predominance of pastoralists and tourists. A concrete idea of how to manage the project is the creation of an expert group appointed by the client and the developer, which in regular working meetings moderated by the developer will try to define and structure the problems and find consensus on how to solve them. The rapporteur will then document the agreed objectives and strategies for achieving them.