New petition calls for no cars along the waterfront in Prague’s historical center

A petition is calling for the expansion of pedestrian-friendly zones in Prague’s city center. Pro-biking group Auto*Mat is behind the initiative.

The group wants to
restrict automobile traffic in parts of Old Town and Malá
Strana
so the areas will be friendlier to pedestrians.

“We call on the Prague City Assembly, the Prague 1 City District and all the local authorities concerned to initiate legislative steps in the near future that will lead to the calming of the area of Smetanova nábřeží and Karmelitská Street,” Auto*Mat said.

They want the city
and Prague 1 district to agree to restricting the transit of
nonresidents’ cars in the historic center on both banks of the
Vltava, and maintaining a passage for residents at least on the Malá
Strana
embankment.

The upcoming renovations of Smetanova nábřeží, Křižovnická Street, Újezd, Malostranské náměstí, and Klarov should be designed for reduced traffic load, and where possible the spaces should be made into quiet zones with leveled roads and pavements, according to Auto*Mat’s proposal.

“At the same time
we call on the above-mentioned institutions to initiate steps to
create a concept for calming traffic in the city center. Only in this
way can the transformation of Prague into a 21st century city be
productive and complete. Moreover, these measures are also aimed at
the Metropolitan and Strategic Plan of the City of Prague,” the
group said.

The temporary
closure of streets around Malostranské náměstí for tram track
work in November did not lead to a traffic collapse in the city
center, showing that this could be done a long-term basis, Auto*Mat
claims.

Czech NGO Auto*Mat supports sustainable city development with a focus on public, pedestrian and bicycle traffic, human-oriented public space and thoughtful urbanism solutions, according to its website.

The group was
founded in 2003 as an informal platform, and in 2007 transformed into
a civic association. It is part of an international initiative World
Car-free Network and NGO association Green Circle.