IN-PERSON: Prague – Section B

Abstract

The paper is focussed on presentation of archival urban research and its application in development. In a case study of the Historic Centre of Prague, it summarises the methods and main results — a Critical Catalogue and a dedicated web application. Unique values of historic urban landscape of Prague have been the object of protection since 1950 when the first monument reservation was declared. Since then, professional approaches to heritage protection and urban development have changed significantly. Meanwhile the cognition of its manifold values and qualities of Prague’s centre has only deepened – not least due to the change in these approaches. Are archival analyses in aged planning materials of any use for urban protection and development today? The summarisation of findings in archive research materials was elaborated as a part of Architectural and Urban Analysis of Prague’s Historic Centre project between 2015–2022. Its results now serve as a source for current planning studies, regulatory plans and other types of planning documentations. Both main results — the Critical Catalogue and a dedicated web application Historic Centre of Prague — have been available online both in Czech and English since 2022. Although structured to inform the urban planners and commissioners, they have become popular also among members of general public as well as professionals from National Heritage Institute and UNESCO. Their content is presented in the contribution together with an overview of used archive materials and their role in the protection and development of the Prague historic centre since the 1950’ to this day.