Interview with Jaromir Beranek
Jaromir is a deputy of the Prague City Assembly and the Chairman of its International Relations and EU Funds Committee. He has served at the City Hall 2018. As the head of the IT and Smart City Committee, he assisted the Mayor in developing the Smart Prague initiative and introducing AI or satellite-assisted technologies into the daily operations of the City. He was successfully re-elected in 2022 and now, he strives to find new partners among foreign cities, universities or businesses to work on common projects, share best practices, or to jointly develop new technological applications. Recently he has been appointed as the head of the City Council Committee on Electromobility.
Jaromir holds degrees in International Management and Law, having studied in Prague, Cologne and Fort Lauderdale. With a finance and portfolio management background from the world of telco, startups and VC, he is keen about advanced technologies. While working for the City, he co-created the technological platform "prg.ai", promoting better education and usage of AI for the benefit of the City, the "Prague Innovations Institute" which serves as the basis of the prospective Prague's Science Park, or "Kampus Hybernska" where university students develop and present innovative projects concerning sustainability, city design or arts. Jaromir is a big proponent of clean mobility, open data and enabling technologies. In his free time, he loves to run, travel and play the saxophone.
What is the current state of play in Prague in terms of sustainable urban mobility?
To be honest, it's a very broad question, but we could start with our strategies and our long-term vision. We have two major strategies that cover or at least touch on this area. One is the Climate Plan of the City of Prague until 2030, and the other is the Sustainable Urban Mobility Plan for the City of Prague and the surrounding area. We also have side projects covering things like energy sources in transport, but not all of these projects are given the same importance and financial allocation, which is ultimately very crucial.
If I were asked to give a breakdown of all the planned expenditures for the sustainable urban mobility plan, the total would exceed €15 billion over the next 10 years. However, it is clear that we will not be able to allocate more than one-quarter of this amount to works that can be considered sustainable. While the national government is primarily responsible for funding large-scale projects such as railroads and highways, the city of Prague is making significant investments of its own. In addition to the €4 billion allocated for a new metro line expected to be completed by 2030 or 2031, major city expenditures include the development of new tram tracks and the procurement of greener vehilcles. By contrast, investment in active mobility, such as cycle lanes and pedestrian measures, remains relatively low.
Most people in Prague recognize that sustainable and active mobility is improving, despite some opposition to cycling infrastructure reducing space for cars. The city is not very cyclist-friendly during the winter months, which adds to the challenges. However, overall progress in this area is recognized. Moreover, the quality of public transportation services is increasing over time.
Has there been a particular initiative in which you have been involved that you consider to be particularly important?
Yes, the mobile application for public transport, which we have significantly improved. It now allows users to buy tickets and plan journeys combining different modes of transport, including shared bikes. The app also provides real-time updates on the location and delays of buses and trams, helping users to plan alternative routes if necessary. These advances improve the overall convenience and efficiency of public transport in the city. Moreover, we are making efforts to improve the cycling infrastructure, which faces challenges, particularly in the historic city center where it is difficult to reserve extra lanes for cyclists. Measures include signage to indicate shared space with vehicles, and partially reserved cycle lanes that can be used by larger vehicles if necessary.
How does the city engage its residents in discussions and decision-making processes about urban mobility changes?
Citizen participation in Prague typically occurs during new construction or reconstruction projects, especially in major transportation hubs or areas with many shops and high traffic. The city invites citizens to discuss these projects, which often involve several city districts. Prague is divided into 57 districts, each with its own mayor. The population of these districts varies significantly, ranging from as few as 400 to as many as 130,000 residents. While the 22 larger districts have greater responsibilities and average populations closer to 10,000. The power and influence of each district varies considerably. Participation efforts are most common in the renovation of large public spaces, such as large squares.
In addition, citizens are often involved in discussions about adding more trees, benches or changing the surface of public spaces. Strict historic preservation laws make it difficult to change surfaces in the historic city centre, which affects the bike-friendliness due to cobblestones. Major construction projects, such as new tram or metro lines, require public consultation, especially on land acquisition and ownership issues. Expropriation is rare in Prague, although there are examples of resistance in other parts of the Czech Republic. These consultations are necessary to address citizens' concerns and to comply with regulations.
What is your vision for sustainable urban mobility in Prague over the next 5 to 10 years?
Prague's population is expected to grow significantly, with new districts and residential areas being developed on old brownfield sites. This growth will increase pressure on the transport infrastructure. Investment in new rail infrastructure is seen as crucial, as the metro is too expensive to expand rapidly. There are plans for a ring line, but these are far off in the future.
There is also a long-standing plan to regulate transit traffic in the city center, closing it to non-residents and cargo deliveries. I believe it is crucial to have a balanced approach to tackle transport and economic challenges in order to achieve sustainable urban mobility.
The interview was conducted by Dimitra Kaimakami
Comments