Prague to make its riverside embankment more pedestrian-friendly

View our gallery to see the design plans for the capital’s biggest transformation in decades

Today, the Czech capital will begin working on what it claims to be the "biggest transformation of its city centre in decades". With this transformation, the municipality envisions the creation of more space for pedestrians and cyclists on Smetanovo nábřeží (Smetana's Embankment).

Named after the Czech composer Bedřich Smetana, the Smetana Embankment is said to be the oldest in the capital. Running alongside the Vltava River from Charles Bridge to the National Theatre, it is located centrally and once functioned as a place where tourists and citizens could promenade. Over time, the area has changed, placing the needs of automated traffic above those of pedestrians and cyclists.

How will the city transform?

Reviving the embankment’s original function, the capital will now create a wide promenade and plant a line of trees. What is more, it will add benches and cycle paths to make the area appealing for both pedestrians and cyclists. Commenting on the project, the Deputy Mayor for Transport Adam Scheinherr shared:

“The centre of Prague is facing the biggest change in the last few decades. Klementinum through Křižovnické náměstí to the National Theater will be completely transformed. Residents can look forward to new tram stops, the tree line on Smetana Embankment, a wide pedestrian promenade lined with trees, extended sidewalks, benches, or a separate cycle path."

Scheinherr further highlighted that Prague’s main tram lines (9, 17, 22, 2, 12, 15, 18, 20) run through Malá Strana and Smetana Embankment areas and are among the busiest in the capital. More specifically, he revealed that 70% of Smetana Embankment’s traffic consists of public transport and pedestrians, with only 30% being individual car transport. Similarly, cars account for only 20% of the traffic in Malá Strana.

For this reason, the renovation project will aim to improve the conditions for pedestrians and public transport users in the area. “Smetana’s Embankment and Malá Strana are among the most beautiful and valuable places in the world. We have to approach them in this way,” Scheinherr explained.

See the gallery above to view the design plans for the city centre.