Description
The spatial plan of Prague has been a large source of corruption for many years, the citizens were overseen. It can all change after recent municipal elections. According to the law, Prague is obliged to introduce new spatial plan till 2020. The objective of the project is to improve quality of life in Prague by involvement of the citizens to decision making on spatial plan. 70 local civic initiatives will be united in new coalition, 10 of them will receive complex support in their local campaigns. Public Consultation Centre will address 200 queries and help to 50 citizens. In one district, model public hearing will be organized. Politicians will be invited to the seminar (50) and 500 of them will receive e-newsletter. Information and discussion portal “Open Prague” will be launched (5.000 visitors) together with public awareness campaign. "Prague Octopus” contest will search for the most beloved and hated new building. 50 volunteers will support activity of local civic associations.
Summary of project results
Since 2008, Prague has been trying to prepare a new municipal zoning plan, but with no success. The plan must be adopted by 2020, otherwise Prague Construction Authority will be in danger of having no rulebook to decide by. A new zoning plan has been drafted and submitted, but it does not ensure the sustainability of Prague‘s future development. The Project‘s aim was to make an impact on the plan‘s preparation process – to involve both the lay public and expert community and to make the public aware of the importance of this document for their city‘s future development. When dealing with investors and the Municipality, citizens and citizens‘ initiatives are in a weak position – they lack experience, legal capabilities, funding, and even mere awareness about the zoning plan preparation process. This is why the Project focused on spreading information, educating, networking and coordination of citizens‘ initiatives active in Prague‘s urban development. We built a new user-friendly website on urban planning. We produced a contest where participants could express their opinions about new buildings around them, and so to become aware of the significance of their participation in a zoning plan preparation. As a result of all Project‘s activities, the citizens of Prague as a whole can now understand better how a democratic dialogue on the development of zoning plan is conducted, and they are able to play a stronger and better role in it. Those of Prague inhabitants who want to get actively involved in the planning and decision-making processes of municipal administration have been given the know-how and expertise they needed and became more knowledgeable about the issues involved.
Summary of bilateral results