Prague has sought to reverse the negative impact of earlier car-centred planning. In 2013, Prague City Hall converted its previous planning institution into the Prague Institute of Planning and Development (IPR Prague), tasked with providing architectural and planning advice and taking a comprehensive approach to improving the quality of public spaces and city planning overall.
The city aims to protect its heritage and the distinct character of its neighbourhoods while limiting urban sprawl, improving the urban environment to meet residents’ needs, and adapting to climate change. With one of the largest UNESCO World Heritage areas in Europe, Prague faces particular challenges in managing the public realm and integrating climate mitigation strategies. High-quality built environment has been made a priority, addressing many years of poor-quality public space construction and maintenance.
 

The Public Space Manual was released in 2014 by IPR Prague as a public document setting principles, rules, recommendations and criteria for creating public space. It is addressed to everyone active in the investment, planning, design, approval, maintenance and operation of public space, including city and municipal district officials, planners and designers, private investors and the public.
Since publication, two plug-in documents have completed the manual: “Art in Public Space” and the “Catalogue of Recommended Elements”, which build on the manual’s guidelines and offer more tailored solutions adapted to the character of specific sites.
 

A staff of 12 at IPR Prague worked on the original Public Space Manual. Two IPR Prague employees, together with members of various stakeholder working groups, continue to work on the plug-in documents. Plug-ins are typically prepared by a smaller group of specialized employees, alongside many other tasks.

A 2015 evaluation by architects and urban planners highlighted the manual’s positive impact on the public realm, marking a shift towards higher-quality public spaces in Prague. The manual’s continuous use and enhancement through targeted plug-ins is presented as the clearest indicator of its success.
The manual has helped kick-start several follow-on documents, including the Catalogue of Recommended Elements of Public Spaces, which builds on its guidelines with more tailored, site-specific solutions. By integrating contributions from architects, engineers, civil servants and other stakeholders, the catalogue addresses the fragmented management and administration of public space by setting shared standards, and shows how environmental considerations can be integrated into public space design.
 

Today, we view the manual primarily as a source of inspiration and a tool for public engagement on public space. Its principles remain relevant to IPR Prague and the city, and we continue to rely on them. The manual has had a significant impact, reaching the public and inspiring other cities, including those abroad.
However, its practical application faces several challenges. As the manual sets out principles rather than ready-made solutions, their interpretation can vary. Implementation may also conflict with the views of relevant authorities, which often carry greater weight than those of IPR Prague or even the City Council. These challenges are compounded by the city’s fragmented administrative structure, involving numerous municipal districts and organizations, and by shifting political priorities.
To address these obstacles, IPR Prague develops more specific solutions through the Catalogue of Recommended Public Space Elements, works with the municipal public space management company to establish clear internal project standards, and consults extensively with relevant stakeholders to involve them in decision-making.
 

The manual is the first tool in a wider, comprehensive approach to improving the quality of Prague’s public spaces. It has served as an inspiration for other cities in the Czech Republic and abroad. IPR Prague offers the following tips for other cities:
–    Involve stakeholders from the start to make sure guidance manuals meet their needs.
–    Make any manual for public space design as user-friendly and accessible as possible to ensure maximum buy-in.
–    Engage with the institutions responsible for statutory requirements to align recommendations for improvements to the urban landscape with current legislation.
–    Tailor rules and standards to each city’s specific administrative structure and the needs of those using the document.
–    Do not underestimate the impact of listening to the public and clearly communicating your goals.
–    Translate important documents into English, as this is key for promoting communication and exchange with other cities.
 

European Commission, Directorate-General for Education, Youth, Sport and Culture. (n.d.). Prague. Public Space Design Manual. Living Spaces catalogue, Peer Learning Initiative, Architecture. Retrieved October 1, 2026, from https://culture.ec.europa.eu/cultural-and-creative-sectors/architecture/living-spaces/catalogue/prague
Institute of Planning and Development of the Capital City of Prague. (n.d.). Public space. IPR Praha. Retrieved October 1, 2026, from https://iprpraha.cz/page/3411
Institute of Planning and Development of the Capital City of Prague. (n.d.). Catalogue of recommended elements of public spaces in the capital City of Prague. IPR Praha. Retrieved October 1, 2026, from https://iprpraha.cz/stranka/4141/katalog-doporucenych-prvku
Institute of Planning and Development of the Capital City of Prague. (2014). Prague public space design manual [Brochure]. IPR Praha. https://iprpraha.cz/uploads/assets/dokumenty/obecne/ppsd.pdf