Carbon neutrality, green electricity, protection of biodiversity alongside reduction of disposable plastics. This is but a shortlist of steps through which Prague Airport pursues sustainability and green urbanism. The long-term development projects embedded in the airport’s agenda are to adhere to the principles of sustainability, too. Prague Airport has been actively reducing CO2 emissions for over ten years. Compared to 2009, it achieved a reduction in CO2 emissions of 76% last year and thus saved the equivalent of 41,000 tons of CO2. At the same time, together with other airports, airlines and aircraft manufacturers, the airport has committed itself to reduce the environmental impact of aviation in the pan-European Destination 2050 initiative and introduced a commitment to reach carbon neutrality on all flights across Europe and beyond by 2050. “Airlines are phasing out older aircraft and replacing them with new, much greener and more environmentally-friendly models. In about the next ten years, Prague Airport plans to execute several long-term development and sustainable projects, which include, for example, the expansion of the Terminal 2 building. In the preparatory phase of the terminal capacity increase project, very close coordination with Správa železnic (The Railway Administration) is pursued regarding a train connection to Václav...
On April 19th, 2021, the almost twenty-hectare plain at Prague’s Dívčí hrady became the new home to Przewalski’s horses. The Prague Zoo staff transported the first four mares from the breeding station in Dolní Dobřejov. They will be joined by a stallion in due time. “The purpose of this project is not only to regenerate this historic site but also to use the wild horses to graze the grass, thus contributing to the return of the original communities of plants and animals,” said Miroslav Bobek, Prague Zoo’s director. “It is also important for us that Prague’s citizens will be able to see Przewalski’s horses at Dívčí hrady while we are rebuilding their stables and enclosures at the zoo.” The first inhabitants at Dívčí hrady are the mares Khamiina, Xicara, Lana and Gruhne (see below for more details). They were chosen so that they guaranteed the greatest possible genetic diversity for the future reproduction of this group of Przewalski’s horses. Visitors will be able to observe them from three viewpoints with barrier-free access. One of them is raised, and thus not only provides a unique view of the horses themselves but also of the Prague panorama. “The mission of every zoo is not...
Virtual reality (VR) is becoming increasingly popular. At present, these catchy technologies are used, for example, for non-traditional forms of employee training, but also to support communication and cooperation within companies or to improve the customer experience. Simultaneously, the expected market for virtual reality is referred to as a new wave of communication and is predicted to proliferate. In 2021, the value of the VR and AR (Augmented Reality) market is expected by analysts to reach $ 215 billion. Given that we have already seen several highly successful uses of these technologies in business, it can be expected that half of the companies not yet using VR will become interested in these technologies in the following years. Let’s have a look at some of the VR Prague-based startups. Beat Games Beat Games is a Prague-based game studio and makers of the hit VR game Beat Saber. Beat Saber is a VR rhythm game where you slash colorful cubes to the beat of adrenaline-pumping music as they fly towards you. The studio was founded in 2018 and is based on simple game principles – a red and blue lightsaber, and with them, you have to cut blue and red boxes...
The Prague City Council has approved a proposal outlining the renovation and modernizing of the Smichov railway station and its immediate surrounding area. The plan was presented two years ago and has finally been given the green light to be put into action. The initial plan was to build in stages but the city has decided to complete the remodel all at once. Conceptual designs for the proposal have been released and the renovations would radically change the outdated, neglected, and crime-ridden state of the current train station. “The Smíchov terminal will be the first truly modern railway station in Prague. This is a unique project of a traffic hub, which we only know from abroad so far,” said Adam Scheinherr, Deputy Mayor of Prague in an interview with Czech Crunch. The new terminal would make travel more efficient as it would reduce transfers for passengers and connect railways, metro, trams, and buses as well as a park-and-ride car park with a thousand-vehicle capacity. The proposal states that long-distance and suburban buses will have their own designated area directly above the platform whereas city buses would park in a different, centrally located de-boarding area. The terminal and boarding platforms would...
Viewers can see the Mayor’s Residence, New Town Hall, and Škoda Palace. On 20 April, the municipality of Prague announced the launch of a new video programme called “Prague Stops” (Pražská zastavení). This programme has been designed with the idea of showing both citizens and tourists some of the best-known yet inaccessible places in the city. Currently, there are 5 short episodes of this new series on the City’s Youtube channel. The Prague Stops programme allows people to see the Mayor’s Residence, New Town Hall, and Škoda Palace from inside. What is more, they can also learn about the history of these places as the short episodes feature speakers who comment on the buildings and their use throughout the years. Entertainment and recreation The director of the Media and Marketing Department of the Prague City Hall Jana Berková explained the idea behind the video series: “Last year we were all affected by the coronavirus pandemic and people lost many opportunities for entertainment and recreation, including the open days of municipal buildings. Traditionally, we once allowed the public to see the Mayor’s Residence, the New Town Hall, or the Škoda Lounges in the Škoda Palace. With these videos, we want to at least partially compensate the public...
A new group calling themselves Zastavme velezradu (Let’s Stop High Treason) projected the word Velezrada (Czech for High Treason) on Prague Castle, the seat of President Miloš Zeman, last night. After the publication of reports regarding the explosion at a munitions depot in Vrbětice in 2014, the public expected the reaction of the head of state. However, President Miloš Zeman, through his spokesman Jiří Ovčáček, announced that he would not comment on the situation until the end of this week. PM Babiš recently said that Russian involvement in explosions at a munitions depot in Moravia in 2014 does not constitute state terrorism. The operation was rather a botched attack on goods being purchased by a Bulgarian arms dealer. “Miloš Zeman is an agent of a hostile country that invaded the Czech Republic and killed Czech citizens. He is a traitor, and as such he can no longer be the head of the state,” points out the group Zastavme velezradu. In 2015, in a protest against President Milos Zeman, a group of artists has taken down the flag over the presidential residence in Prague and replaced it with a large pair of red boxer shorts. The radical artists said they were...
The pandemic continues but it’s not a reason not to get out there from time to time. We’ve compiled a list of some memorable spots for your adventurous days in Prague, especially on weekends. Prokop Valley Located in the southwestern districts of Prague (Barrandov), lies a whimsical valley that also has two streams flowing freely. Prokop also has a natural reserve, which is quite large and expansive. There are benches for sitting and just lurking about. Visit in on a good day during this spring, you might just be lucky enough to catch in on a quiet day without too many people around. Be sure to bring a book and a nice cup of tea. Castle Park in Dolní Počernice Dolní Počernice is an old village with some quaint and beautiful castles surrounding the area, along with some other establishments like a church, and a watermill. If you’re looking to experience that old-Europe aesthetic, coupled with a peaceful atmosphere, we recommend that you take a peek. There’s a brewery near the park, which has a takeaway option. Finish off your escapade with a visit to the Nebušická viewpoint. Get a beautiful glimpse of what’s there before finishing your trip, it’s...
From August 1, tickets for 30 minutes on the city’s buses, trams and metro in Prague system will increase in price from CZK 24 to CZK 30. Ninety-minute tickets will go up from the current CZK 32 to CZK 40. The reason is the rising costs of public transport. However, the prices of monthly and annual passed will be the same. “If we want to maintain and further develop the public transport system of Prague and the Central Bohemian Region, it is necessary to agree on common prices for at least one-time tickets. The annual pass will continue to cost CZK 10 per day,” said the Deputy Mayor of Prague Adam Scheinherr (PRAHASOBĚ). “Compared to twenty years ago, Prague City increased passengers’ comfort, but if we want to continue offering a better service, as the construction of the new metro D or new tram lines, we need to adjust ticket prices.” “The increase in fares is only one piece in the mosaic of restructuring the sustainable public transport system. We are planning to improve the development of rail, trolleybus, and tram transport between Prague and the Central Bohemian Region in the coming years. And we have to finance it somehow,”...
A new sampling point for tests on COVID-19 was opened today by the Prague City Hall in cooperation with the Prague Municipal Polyclinic and the Czech Red Cross on Mariánské náměstí. The sampling point also offers PCR tests from saliva, which are less invasive and more affordable. Self-payers will pay CZK 620. “It is about half the price of regular PCR tests,” said David Doležil, the director of the Municipal Polyclinic in Prague. “Our goal was to make testing as easy as possible for citizens, this is why we also chose Mariánské náměstí as it is the city center,” said Milena Johnová, Prague councilor for social affairs. “For antigen tests, the slots are opened every five minutes. As for the PCR test, it is six minutes for self-payers and three minutes for insurance companies,” explained Doležil. The collection point will be open on weekdays from 08:00 to 15:30. According to Doležil, the capacity of the sampling point is now about 170 tests per day. Saliva-based testing offers an improvement over the standard nasopharyngeal swab because people can collect their own samples with minimal discomfort—simply spit into a sterile tube and mail it to a lab for processing. The results, as...
The original concert of the project Cesta ze tmy (Road from Darkness), scheduled for next week in the Lucerna concert hall in Prague that was to test the participation of the audience in the concert on the condition of a negative PCR test, will not take place, Health Minister Petr Arenberger told journalists on Friday. Arenberger said he would consult epidemiologists and Culture Minister Lubomir Zaoralek on the rules for the relaxation of the culture, but next week, the concert could not take place given the epidemiological situation. “I think we’re not ready to allow this concert it next week. However, we want to launch it in the future on a pilot basis,” said Arenberger at a press conference on Friday. From the very beginning, the organizers conditioned the participation of the public by passing a non-invasive saliva PCR test. The price of PCR testing would be included in the ticket. Based on the unique code, participants can register for testing on the day of the event, no later than one hour before the start. If the result is negative, they would be able to take part in the concert without the obligation to wear a face mask. “I started preparing these concerts...
Prague has many beautiful sights and parks around the metropolis. We’ve compiled a list of the ones that might interest those who are trying to avoid the crowds. Riegrovy Sady is great, but maybe you want a little more peace? Here’s the list. Vojanovy sady is a small park and garden located behind the Ministry of Finance building in Mala Strana. This garden-park offers strollers beautiful greenery and lush flowers during the spring. Peacocks even lurk around this area, so watch out! Dogs aren’t allowed here for this reason. Na Cibulce park is more like a forest than a park, and it’s one of the larger ones. So, get ready to explore and see a lot! It’s located in Prague 5, and the area is quite majestic. There’s an old and abandoned lookout tower, on top of a small hill. If you go down a flight of stairs from the base of the tower, you can sit on one of the benches and admire the view of the lookout tower from a lower vantage point. There’s also a quaint and lone statue right in front of the benches. Some people have said it’s a statue of Chronos, amongst other things....
The Flow Building, the Chapman Taylor-designed retail and office landmark in Wenceslas Square, is finally completed. The Flow Building will provide seven floors of office space, three levels of flagship retail and two basement levels of parking. Key features of the design include significant reductions in energy consumption and CO2 emissions, water savings, flexible floorplates, 56 electric vehicle charging stations, cycle storage and cyclist changing facilities, automatic external façade shading to reduce heat gains and internal blinds to provide glare control. On the retail side, the world’s largest and most popular discount fashion retailer Primark will open its first store in the Czech Republic, leasing all the retail space over three floors. Office space has been pre-leased to Scott & Weber, Graebel Relocation Services and a major multinational tenant yet to be disclosed. Flow East has owned Václavské náměstí 47 since 1994. The demolition of the original building from 1880 started two years ago. Preservationists opposed the demolition, and had several protests as well as petitions. Flow East claimed the building had structural problems and was not architecturally significant.
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