Prague has a new strategic document for the preservation and development of its conservation area. City councillors have approved a planning study prepared by the Institute of Planning and Development (IPR) that sets the direction for the future shape of the city's historic centre. The document, which was approved in August 2024 by the city council's planning department, will become an important tool in making decisions about changes to this extremely valuable site.
The Prague Conservation Area, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1992, covers an area of 895 hectares and includes Hradčany, Malá Strana, Old Town, Nové Město, Josefov and Vyšehrad, as well as parts of other districts. The uniqueness of this area lies in its authenticity - unlike other European metropolises, Prague has avoided extensive demolitions and war damage.
Today, the historic centre is home to around 46 000 inhabitants, half the number it had in the 1980s. Yet the area remains a key centre of work, culture and tourism - one fifth of all jobs in Prague are located here and thousands of visitors pass through daily.