Prague’s Klárov is one of those places we all feel we know intimately—that we see it in its essence and entirety. Yet few places are as deceptive as this one. How little we know about the context and the forgotten history of this place.

The central problem with the Klárov area is its lack of a clear identity. It is not clearly a square, a boulevard, a park, a waterfront, the area in front of a bridge, an intersection, or a public transit hub. The place is neither sufficiently urban nor natural, neither planned nor organic; it is rather a periphery in the middle of the metropolis and at the heart of the historic center. It has no clear boundaries; it is simply a sort of area.

Currently, Klárov functions primarily as the eastern gateway to Malá Strana and as one of the busiest public transit hubs in Prague. The study therefore seeks first and foremost to review the functionality of transportation connections, explore alternatives, and update the hierarchy of users. The focus has shifted to pedestrians—their comfort and safety. Public transit follows as the next logical priority. For motorists, the study seeks to define routes and situations in which drivers can easily find their way. The result is a more clearly organized space that reduces conflicts, where paved areas have been increased by 50% in favor of pedestrians. Cyclists have become a new legitimate user group of the space. This is further supported by the master plan for surfaces, technical and urban furniture, and greenery.

However, none of this resolves the problem of the area’s unclear identity. This issue runs deeper and stems from the fact that Klárov’s current appearance is the result of extensive urban renewal of the entire area in the 1920s, carried out in connection with the construction of the Mánes Bridge. The zoning plan that served as the basis for the redevelopment envisaged the creation of a spectacular foreland similar to that on the Old Town side (today’s Palach Square). However, the redevelopment was never followed by the intended construction, so the Klárov area is, in reality, a forgotten demolition site.

In addition to the approved first step—namely, the redesign of the public space primarily to improve its functional relationships—the study also seeks to identify the issues that must be addressed so that the scar of Klárov can be healed and the site can find its identity and connection to the surrounding urban fabric as well as to the river.