Public involvement in the creation of public spaces

Planning the appearance of public spaces

Public spaces are the physical embodiment of public life in the city. High-quality public spaces are primarily spaces that are used. They are therefore not only evidence of high investments in the development of the ground floor, but also evidence of a dialogue about the needs and interests of local residents who use the space. Each location is specific and communication about its use must be conducted differently. The central square of a city or city district has a different position and function, while a small square, park or road used by local pedestrians has a different location.

Over the past few years, we have implemented several projects that have always respected this different hierarchy of public spaces. Below are a few examples.

Project examples

Trojmezí - Revitalization of leisure and relaxation space

The Tri-border is an area on the border of the city districts of Prague 4, 10, 11 and 15. It is a significant and unique in the European context location of the so-called agricultural landscape, which forms part of the built-up area of Prague. However, it is far from fulfilling its recreational potential. In 2021, the Prague City Council commissioned the IPR (Institute for Planning and Development of the Capital City of Prague) to prepare a landscape study. Based on the study, the Tri-border is to be revitalized and a pleasant space for leisure and relaxation is to be created. In 2022, citizens of all participating locations were invited to learn about the project. The project included two participation phases, which were implemented by Agora CE. In addition to public planning events and online questionnaires, people could also participate in commented walks around the area or transfer their impressions to a sensory map. The landscape architects then incorporated the suggestions received into the study design. You can read details and reports from the participation phases at
https://iprpraha.cz/projekt/132/trojmezi

New pavilion of Řevnice Elementary School - Architectural competition

Increased capacity, barrier-free, energy-efficient, a new school cafeteria with a kitchen, additional classrooms, facilities for teachers, etc. This is the goal of the project to modernize the Řevnice Elementary School, which will include the construction of a new school pavilion. Our task was to prepare materials for competitors in the architectural competition so that they would have an overview of what areas they should primarily focus on in their designs. We conducted interviews, prepared public meetings with students and teachers, and collected valuable data. Thanks to this, the architects' designs can be adapted to the needs of those who use the building. More information can be found at https://revnice.digitalniagora.cz/

Těšíkova - revitalization of the shopping center


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The shopping center on Těšíkova Street was built in the 1980s, so its condition does not meet the needs of today. In 2021, the Capital City of Prague asked the Prague 12 district to involve citizens in the project to revitalize the building. The goals of the participatory project were twofold. The first was to find out how citizens would imagine the modernization of the building and to plan it so that it reflects the needs of the residents. The second was to provide information about the planned revitalization. From February to October 2022, citizens of the district had the opportunity to participate in online surveys and public meetings prepared and organized by Agora CE. Based on the suggestions collected from citizens, we prepared recommendations for the architectural competition. Details about the project can be found at https://www.praha12.cz/revitalizace-obchodniho-centra-tesikova/ds-1704/p1=95325

Most - Revitalization of the housing estate under Lajsník

The project to revitalize the Pod Lajsníkem housing estate in Most focuses on the territorial changes that have occurred since its initial design. It addresses the modification of public spaces, but also, for example, the safety of increased traffic and the modification of pedestrian routes, as well as increasing the attractiveness of the central park. The project deals with the overall improvement of the location and places emphasis on better usability for citizens. We supported the involvement of citizens in the preparation of the urban study materials for the public spaces of the Pod Lajsníkem housing estate. Users of public spaces include residents of the housing estate, pupils, students, teachers and employees of schools, kindergartens and children's homes. We investigated how residents of the housing estate perceive and use the location. We primarily used a questionnaire survey and a sentiment map. The outputs will serve as a basis for the preparation of the urban study.

Most - Park Střed

Park Střed was once the most visited place in Most. People liked to spend their free time there, but over time the popular place began to face problems. The park needed to be revitalized, its functionality and community gatherings restored. And so the project “Rebirth of Park Střed in the Center of the City of Most” was created in cooperation with the Karel Komárek Foundation for Transformation.
The city hall wanted to invite the public to participate in the preparation, which is why we joined the project. We conducted questionnaires, held public discussions, and conducted interviews with various target groups. Among other things, we found out what kind of park citizens would like to have and what they currently lack.
The goal is for citizens to perceive the park not as a place that discourages them from visiting, but on the contrary as a beautiful place where they will enjoy spending their free time.
https://park-stred.nadace-promeny.cz/

Litomyšl - preparation of documents for the architectural competition

Revitalization of the Loučná River Embankment in Litomyšl (realization 2012)

For the Proměny Foundation, we designed and implemented a procedure for public involvement in the development of the central public space in Litomyšl (the area of the so-called Water Embankments and the park near Smetana's House). The aim of the individual activities was to create criteria for an architectural competition for the development of this area that respected the wishes and needs of the citizens of Litomyšl. Through the individual activities, we also informed local citizens about the planned changes and motivated them to become more involved in the functioning of this public space. This allowed the citizens of Litomyšl to participate in the public discussion.

Prague 10 Municipality – creation of a Strategy for Public Spaces

Together we are changing Prague 10 – creation of the Strategy for public spaces (implementation 2009 – 2010)

This strategic document is a truly unique effort in the Czech Republic to set clear rules for the transformation of public spaces in the urban environment. We prepared the strategy together with the Department of Territorial Development of the Prague 10 Municipal District, the Institute for Ecopolitics, and Partnership, Inc. During the demanding two-year project, we organized public meetings for the residents of Prague 10, round tables for the professional public, prepared the Methodology for Public Involvement in the Prague 10 Municipal District, and a brochure about the Together we are changing Prague 10 project. The strategy was approved by the Prague 10 Municipal District Council in the spring of 2010.

Below you can view the Methodology for Public Involvement and the Strategy for Public Spaces in the full pdf version

Revitalization of Budovatelů Street in Most – preparation of the architectural competition

In 2019, the city of Most decided to improve another public space, a space larger than Prague's Wenceslas Square, the Budovatelů Avenue. The city once again embarked on the path of organizing an architectural competition, and our task was to prepare materials for its announcement that would tell the architects how the Most public thinks about the current and future appearance of this avenue.
We helped to map who the users of this space are and what they need, verified their perception of the space in a public survey, and created a map of the perception of the entire space. In this way, the competitors received information about what and where needs to be addressed as a priority.

Vnitrobloky Praha 9

Prague 9 – courtyards (implementation 2010 - 2011)

In this project, Agora continued its successful work in the Prague 9 Municipal District, which consistently strives to involve the public in decision-making. This involved preparing the materials for the reconstruction of two courtyards that are in municipal ownership. Agora CE, in cooperation with the Prague 9 Municipal District and residents living in the courtyard, prepared and implemented a questionnaire survey, the results of which, together with the outputs of the public meeting, became the basis for the preparation of an architectural study for the reconstruction of the courtyards. Citizens also had the opportunity to comment on this within the framework of working groups.

Based on the questionnaire survey and a public meeting of citizens from these courtyards, an architectural study of the future appearance was prepared. The studies for both courtyards were presented to residents directly on site in May 2011. Residents, together with the Deputy Mayor of Prague 9 and the architect, walked through the area and discussed the changes proposed in the study. The results of these meetings served to finalize the designs. Implementation is planned for the period 2012 – 2013.

A detailed presentation of the architectural studio, including the final appearance of the space, can be found on the page a05 – studio for garden and landscape design.

Prague public space or "Prague for people"

Prague Public Space or “Prague for People” (implemented in 2012)

As a pilot test, four different forms of moderated meetings were held, the topic of which was public space in Prague. During these meetings, both the professional and lay public could discuss possible improvements to the appearance of Prague’s public space. Topics addressed included the future of Prague’s waterfronts, the Bubny – Zátory development area, but also places with current problems such as Spořilov or Bubenská Street. Dozens of people participated in these meetings, thus demonstrating that public space is still a very important topic for Prague.

Chomutov - renovation of public spaces in a housing estate - KASS

Revitalization of the area around the cultural and social center (KASS) in Chomutov (implementation 2013)

The area was located in the immediate vicinity of KASS in the Zahradní housing estate in Chomutov. The main aim of the project was to open a discussion not only about the transformation of the public space around the former cultural center, but also about the transformation and use of the buildings. The emphasis was placed on the revitalization of public spaces, with the transformation and new use of the buildings (meaning those owned by the city of Chomutov) to be implemented in the next step.

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Contact: vojtech.cerny@agorace.cz