The realisation of a new urban district called Nové Dvory on the border of Prague 4 and Prague 12 is a major milestone closer to its realisation. After four years of intensive work, the Council and the City Council of the capital city of Prague have approved a new development plan. The amendment to the zoning plan has been approved, which allows for a significant increase in the building capacity of the local urban land around the future Nové Dvory D metro station. As a result, this transformational area of 30 hectares can be used for the construction of up to 2,000 urban apartments and a multifunctional building above the metro station, which will offer space not only for housing, but also for office, retail and community purposes. The zoning change, which will allow for the long-term use of the spatial, social and economic potential, will also result in a significant enhancement of the city’s real estate assets. By a qualified estimate, the market value of urban land has increased by almost CZK 2 billion. Following this self-governing decision, the preparation of a new urban district, where up to 5,000 people will find a new home and which will offer up to 5,000 new jobs, will enter the next phase of intensive preparations.
Petr Hlaváček, Deputy Mayor of the Capital City of Prague. “On the 15 hectares of urban land that have been entrusted to PDS for management, the project team is preparing a total of almost 300,000 sqm of gross floor area, mainly for urban rental housing, and about 130,000 sqm for office space, restaurants, cafes, shops and services that will bring up to 5,000 new jobs. In addition, a kindergarten, primary and secondary school, a cultural or community centre and sports facilities. The preparation of the new district is taking place in parallel with the preparation of transport services in the form of the construction of a new metro station and the extension of the tram line from Modřany, which will end at the metro station. The area is divided into individual projects, which will be implemented gradually. We assume that the whole could be completed within 10 to 15 years,”
According to the Unit architects’ Zoning Study of 2021, which was discussed with the professional and lay public and which represents a social agreement on the development of the area, a new urban district with affordable rental housing and complete civic amenities is planned for Nové Dvory.
“The approved amendment to the zoning plan will unlock the enormous development potential of the city’s land, which has been lying fallow and untapped. By increasing the gross floor areas by 114,000 sqm, a significant market valuation of urban land has been achieved, a qualified estimate by approximately CZK 2 billion. We look forward to the project preparation entering another intensive phase,” says Petr Urbánek, Director of the Prague Development Company.
Sustainable City at Nové Dvory.
The spatial study, which was prepared for the Department of Spatial Development of the Municipality of the capital city of Prague. The study, prepared by UNIT architects for Prague’s Department of Urban Development, looks at the development of the new part of the city at Nové Dvory in four aspects: social, economic, environmental and cultural:
– Social
“In the urban study we have prepared, we assume that an optimal social mix will be created in Nové Dvory, regardless of the age or socio-economic status of the future inhabitants.” says architect Jitka Molnárová of UNIT architects, who led the preparation of the urban study. It is the intention of the capital city to create a new city centre. Prague’s aim is to build quality affordable rental housing here, which will be intended primarily for the so-called preferred professions (teachers, health workers, police officers), single parents and independent elderly people.
– Economic
In the central part of Nové Dvory, especially near the future metro station and to a lesser extent also in the new squares, it is planned to build administrative and retail premises. The rental income from the new urban properties will significantly support the economic return on public investment in this area.
– Environmental
The intensive use of the site directly connected to various modes of public transport with sufficient public services including education is a key parameter for the sustainability and efficiency of the development of this new part of the city. Naturally, this will also create a generous public space in Nové Dvory consisting of several squares, some of which will be connected to the Jalodvorská louka park. The development of blue-green infrastructure is envisaged in Nové Dvory, e.g. the capture of rainwater so that it soaks into the soil on the site and is not drained away by sewers, the cultivation of the Jalodvorská louka park and the creation of new green spaces. By building a metro station and extending the tram line from Modřany, the city will encourage the use of public transport.
– Cultural and educational
The design of Nové Dvory includes a number of cultural and leisure facilities, whether kindergarten, primary and secondary schools, a cultural centre, a sports hall and an outdoor playground. Also of considerable importance will be the restaurants and cafes that will be opened in the commercial part of the project. Current and future residents will no longer have to commute frequently to other parts of Prague 4 (e.g. Pankrác) or directly to the city centre.
