Revitalisation of Žižkov square finally to go ahead

In 2000 an architectural competition to re-design the square was won by MCA and will form the basis of the latest plan. “Over the past ten years the public procurement law has changed, as well as construction material and labour prices. Some parts of the original plan for the regeneration of the square will, of course, now be implemented, but must also be re-negotiated,” explained Zdeněk Fikar, the head of department of regional development for Prague 3. The scheme involves renovating metro station entrances, replacing the square’s busy roads with avenues of trees, and removing brutalist structures from the communist era, replacing them with (among other features) a new fountain. The council is also to apply for UNESCO World Heritage status for the Church of the Sacred Heart that is located within the square. The whole project should be completed next year. Investment costs are expected to come to CZK 89 mln (EUR 3.2 mln).