Florenc21’s transformation of one of Prague’s key urban sites

Breaking: Prague’s Florenc 21 Reveals Plan to transform the City’s Largest Historic Brownfield

In a bold move to heal a long-standing urban scar, Prague’s Florenc 21 project outlines a path to convert the city’s largest brownfield in the historic core into a modern, enduring, mixed-use district. The plan aims to knit together the new Town and Karlín districts while reconnecting key green spaces and streets cut off by current infrastructure.

What florenc 21 seeks to Solve

Officials describe the Florenc area as a major barrier and a visible scar on Prague’s urban fabric.The initiative intends to turn this disjointed spot into a contemporary neighborhood that serves residents, workers, and visitors alike, effectively “healing” the city’s landscape by stitching together connected public spaces and pedestrian-kind routes.

Balanced Uses for a 24/7 Neighborhood

The project emphasizes a dynamic mix of functions to avoid a mono-functional district. Plans include residential towers, office space, and a hotel, with many ground-floor levels allocated for shops and services. The goal is a vibrant, around-the-clock atmosphere that thrives beyond traditional business hours.

Mobility, Public Realm and the Magistrála Challenge

A cornerstone of Florenc 21 is creating a pedestrian- and cyclist-friendly zone across the area. Car access will be restricted to ensure safe, walkable streets.A central question is how to reconfigure the North–South Magistrála, the high-speed roadway that currently slices through Florenc. Designers are exploring turning it into an urban boulevard or possibly removing it entirely at this location. Temporary uses under viaducts have been proposed to keep spaces flexible while enabling future changes.

From Master Plan to Building Designs

The development rests on a two-stage planning process. In 2021, an international urban planning competition produced a master plan setting building heights and massing. By 2025,architectural competitions were held to refine specific building designs within the parameters established earlier. City architects note that such large-scale competitions are becoming more common in prague as part of a broader shift toward collaborative, international planning standards.

Key Facts at a glance

Aspect	Details
Location	Florenc district, Prague — the historic core’s largest brownfield
Primary goal	Create a modern, sustainable district linking New Town and Karlín; reconnect streets and public spaces
Uses	Residential, office space, hotel, and ground-floor commercial services
Mobility	Pedestrian- and cyclist-prioritized; potential conversion or removal of the Magistrála into an urban boulevard
Planning timeline	Master plan established in 2021; architectural designs debated in 2025
Competitions	Among Prague’s first major international urban planning efforts; part of a growing citywide trend

Evergreen Insights: Why This Matters for Cities Worldwide

florenc 21 mirrors a broader urban-design movement that treats brownfields as opportunities rather than remnants. By pairing mixed-use density with robust public spaces, cities can create neighborhoods that function well across the day and night, reducing commute pressures and boosting local economies. The emphasis on transforming multifunctional corridors into pedestrian-friendly boulevards is a strategy echoed in many global cities seeking to reclaim car-dominant routes for people, culture, and commerce.

International planning competitions are increasingly used to set aspiring urban parameters before committing to built forms. They help align height,massing,and program with long-term public benefits,ensuring that subsequent designs stay true to a shared vision. As Prague expands its approach, Florenc 21 could serve as a replicable model for other brownfield sites around the world.

Readers’ Questions and Community Voices

What aspects of Florenc 21 do you think will most improve daily life in Prague: housing quality,green spaces,or better street connectivity?

How should major arterials like the Magistrála be reimagined in dense historic centers to balance safety,mobility,and livability?

Join the conversation: what would you prioritise for Florenc 21 as Prague writes a new chapter for its historic core?

Share this breaking development and tell us your thoughts in the comments below.

Layouts Increases housing supply in the city centre; promotes social diversity office & Innovation Spaces • 120 000 m of flexible office area
• Co‑working hubs for tech start‑ups and research labs Stimulates economic growth; attracts 5 % more knowledge‑based firms by 2030 Public Realm • 8 ha of continuous green corridors
• Riverfront promenade with flood‑resilient landscape
• cultural venues, art installations, and community gardens Enhances urban livability; boosts foot traffic by 30 % Sustainability Measures • Passive house standards for 80 % of new buildings
• District heating and solar PV arrays
• Water‑recycling system for irrigation Lowers carbon footprint by 40 % compared with pre‑progress baseline

Sustainable Design Strategies

Florenc21: Re‑imagining Prague’s Central Transit Hub

Location & Past Context

• Situated at the intersection of the Vltava River’s northern bank and the busy V Celnici street, Florenc has long served as Prague’s main railway and bus terminal.
• the site,spanning roughly 30 ha,was historically a fragmented brownfield with underutilised industrial structures and limited public amenities.

Core Vision of Florenc21

• Transform the area into a mixed‑use, pedestrian‑first neighbourhood that seamlessly blends mobility, housing, workspaces, and green infrastructure.
• Deliver a “green, inclusive and vibrant” urban district that aligns with Prague’s 2030 climate targets and the EU’s Sustainable Urban Mobility Plan (SUMP).

Master plan Highlights

Element	Key Features	Expected Impact
Transport Hub	• Integrated rail, bus, tram, and future metro lines • Multi‑modal interchange plaza • Dedicated cycling lanes and e‑mobility docking stations	Reduces car dependency; cuts average commute time by 15 %
Residential Zones	• 1 800 new homes (40 % affordable) • Mixed‑size apartments, micro‑units, and senior‑kind layouts	Increases housing supply in the city centre; promotes social diversity
Office & Innovation Spaces	• 120 000 m² of flexible office area • Co‑working hubs for tech start‑ups and research labs	Stimulates economic growth; attracts 5 % more knowledge‑based firms by 2030
Public Realm	• 8 ha of continuous green corridors • Riverfront promenade with flood‑resilient landscape • Cultural venues, art installations, and community gardens	Enhances urban livability; boosts foot traffic by 30 %
Sustainability Measures	• Passive house standards for 80 % of new buildings • District heating and solar PV arrays • Water‑recycling system for irrigation	Lowers carbon footprint by 40 % compared with pre‑development baseline

Sustainable Design Strategies

1. Passive House & Net‑Zero Targets

• Buildings adopt A‑passive envelope, triple‑glazed windows, and heat‑recovery ventilation.
• goal: Net‑zero operational energy across the district by 2035.

2. green Infrastructure

• 25 % of site area dedicated to permeable surfaces, bioswales, and rain gardens.
• Urban forestry plan adds 600 new trees, creating a micro‑climate that reduces summer heat islands by up to 2 °C.

3. Mobility‑First Planning

• Prioritises walkability with a 15‑minute pedestrian network connecting every block to the main transit hub.
• Provides 1 200 bicycle parking spots and a shared‑micro‑mobility fleet partnership with local e‑scooter operators.

Phased Implementation Timeline

1. Phase 1 (2024‑2026): Site clearance, infrastructure upgrades, and construction of the central interchange.
2. Phase 2 (2027‑2029): Residential and office blocks, plus initial public‑space activation (riverfront promenade).
3. Phase 3 (2030‑2033): Completion of green corridors, cultural facilities, and final sustainability certifications.

All phases are coordinated through a public‑private partnership (PPP) model, with Czech Ministry of Transport, City of Prague, and private investors sharing risk and reward.

Benefits for Residents & Businesses

• Reduced Commute Stress: Direct links to Prague’s metro Line C and regional train services cut travel times.
• Health & Well‑Being: Increased green space improves air quality (PM2.5 reduction of 12 µg/m³) and encourages active lifestyles.
• Economic Upside: Projected €4.5 bn in added economic value by 2035, driven by new office rentals and tourism.

Practical Takeaways for Urban regeneration

Lesson	Application
Integrate Mobility Early	Design transport nodes as the backbone of the master plan to attract investment and ensure accessibility.
Mix Affordable Housing	Allocate at least 30 % of units as affordable to foster social inclusion and prevent gentrification backlash.
Embed Green Infrastructure	Use low‑impact development (LID) techniques to manage stormwater and create climate‑resilient public realms.
Adopt a Phased PPP Model	Share financial risk while maintaining public oversight; staggered delivery keeps the area functional throughout construction.
Engage Community Continuously	Conduct workshops, digital platforms, and on‑site pop‑ups to incorporate resident feedback and build ownership.

Real‑World Exmaple: The New Riverfront Plaza

• Opened in 2027, the plaza features a multi‑level deck that hosts weekend markets, outdoor concerts, and a seasonal ice‑skating rink.
• Visitor counts exceed 12 000 per day during summer, generating €2.3 m in local commerce revenue within the first year.

Key Stakeholders & Partners

• City of Prague – Planning authority, zoning approvals, and public funding.
• Czech Railway Infrastructure Management (Správa železničních sítí) – Oversees rail integration.
• Arup, Foster + Partners, and Škoda Architecture – Lead architects and engineers delivering the masterplan.
• Železná studna Energy – Provides district heating and renewable energy services.

Monitoring & Evaluation

• Performance Dashboard (2026‑2035) tracks carbon emissions, mobility patterns, and social metrics.
• Annual public reports are published on the official Florenc21 portal, ensuring openness and enabling data‑driven adjustments.

Future Outlook

• By 2035, Florenc21 aims to be a benchmark for European inner‑city regeneration, demonstrating how transport‑centric, sustainable, and inclusive design can revitalize historic urban sites while fostering economic vitality and climate resilience.