The Housing Support Act Has Been Launched: How Will It Help Households Facing Housing Distress? by Ondřej Sliš
The Housing Support Act will take effect on 1 January 2026, gradually introducing a systemic approach to addressing housing distress in the Czech Republic. The implementation of the Act will take place in stages. Anyone will be able to obtain counselling regarding their housing situation at designated Housing Contact Points from the beginning of 2026. The scope of activities of these Housing Contact Points will be extended to include the option to apply for support measures since July 2026. In addition to the Act itself, the government has also adopted a regulation that sets out the method for calculating costbased rent, which is supposed to support the development of the affordable rental housing sector.
Spatial Development Plan Amendments, by Josef Morkus
Three amendments to the Spatial Development Plan are currently under development. Amendment No. 1a will make the Spatial Development Plan legally binding. Amendment No. 1b will supplement and revise a number of projects of nationwide significance. Amendment No. 2 deals with the delimitation of acceleration areas of national importance.
Analysis of the Comprehensive Effects of Street Trees in Street Canyons Using a High-Resolution Numerical
Model, by Jan Geletič, Michal Belda, Pavel Krč, Veronika Květoňová, Michal Lehnert, Tereza Pikousová, Jaroslav Resler, Hynek Řezníček, Ondřej Vlček
Prague, Sokolská and Legerova streets – probably one of the busiest streets in the city centre, with more than 65,000 cars passing through them daily. The City of Prague is planning an extensive revitalisation of the streets in the coming years, intending to create a friendly and safe environment for residents, visitors and all road users – pedestrians, cyclists and motorists. A key element of this revitalisation is the restoration of tree rows, so-called “street trees”. Although several studies published in recent years mention both positive and negative effects of trees, this issue remains only marginally discussed. The restoration of tree rows, although intended in a positive sense, can also have significant negative impacts. Newly developed and validated results of microclimatic models can be used to assess the potential effects of tree planting on conditions within the street. Thanks to the high level of detail, they can provide a new view of the processes in the street canyon and bring a new perspective for a comprehensive assessment of adaptation measures. The article aims to describe the effects that street trees have – during the growing season – on microclimatic conditions and air quality, using the example of the representative, less traffic-laden (14,500 cars/day) Jugoslávských partyzánů Street and the nearby Terronská Street, as a practical example of a “green street” in the validated domain in Prague-Dejvice.
Defining Green Infrastructure in Spatial Planning: A Case Study of the Zvole Cadastral Area, by Petr Dujka, Vladimír Dujka, Anna Vaculíková
Green Infrastructure (GI) present a system of natural and semi-natural elements contributing to ecological stability of territories. It provides a range of ecosystem services and, since 2021, is anchored in the Czech legislature (in legal effect since 1 July 2024 regarding spatial planning). The Building Act (Act No. 283/2021 Coll.) obliges planners and designers to incorporate elements of GI into spatial planning documentation. This article elaborates on implementing a methodological approach based on a certified method of the Ministry of Regional Development in the Zvole municipality (Šumperk district), using the concept of ecotop evaluation by degrees of ecological stability. In phase one, elements of GI were divided into three categories based on relevance: primary, supporting, and complementary. Further, these categories were assigned specific parcels with Differentiated Land Use (RZV in Czech) based on their ecological value. In the Zvole spatial plan, GI amounts to 47% of the total area. The central idea of the article is to demonstrate that a methodologically precise definition of GI can significantly contribute to high-quality landscape planning as well as to the improvement of the environment and to enhancing the resilience of areas to the impacts of climate change – even in the context of smaller rural settlements.
Measurement of Night Sky Brightness: Verification of the Concept of Lighting Zones According to ČSN 36 0459, by Lenka Maierová, Patrik Kučera, Hana Kárníková
Satellite imaging of the Earth’s night sky surface has been monitoring a long-term global increase in atmospheric light pollution reaching approximately 2% per year. Research conducted over the past 20 years has demonstrated a significant negative impact of night sky electric light pollution on biodiversity, natural ecosystem stability, and human health. A range of legislative documents is currently being developed, and appropriate limits need to be determined to limit further growth in light pollution. This study focuses on measuring the current state of the night sky environment in the Czech Republic. Its objective is to verify the definition of lighting zones used in the 2023 ČSN 36 0459 standard, Reducing the Undesirable Side Effects of Outdoor Lighting, based on up-to-date field data. Data collection took place at night in 27 locations situated in various lighting zones, and night sky brightness analysis was carried out for the assessment. The results show a significant increase in the night sky brightness among the individual zones, thereby confirming the suitability of this zoning concept for conditions in the Czech Republic.
Perception of Change and Emerging Trends in Providing Commercial Services Availability in the Czech Rural Areas, by Šárka Lukešová, Petr Červinka
The study examines changes in the availability and quality of commercial services in rural areas. In this respect, rural areas face a number of challenges, including competition from towns and the rise of both prices and other operating costs. The research aimed to determine how the provision and use of commercial services in rural areas are currently changing, and how these developments are perceived by local stakeholders, on a case study of the territory of the Local Action Group (LAG) Svatojiřský les. Based on this LAG Svatojiřský les case study, it was found that certain services are in fact disappearing. However, on the other hand, new forms of services are reaching these rural areas (e.g., unmanned shops, vending machines), which make life easier for rural residents to a large extent. Local people are adapting to these new conditions through commuting, community initiatives, using the parcel lockers, and online shopping. The absence of certain services in rural areas is not always perceived by some groups as a problem, while for others, it leads to the mobilisation of communitybased solutions for dealing with issues related to service accessibility in rural areas.
Urban Infrastructure Greenery from the Perspective of Swedish Spatial Planning, by irena Klingorová
Green spaces and structures within built-up areas are an important, if not integral, part of a high-quality life environment. Well-designed and carefully planned parks, gardens, green squares, and streets contribute to both health and well-being as well as sustainability and the ability of nature to regenerate and persist over time. Nowadays, most experts involved in spatial planning, settlement design, and their public spaces are well aware of its importance. Nevertheless, green areas are sometimes sacrificed to development that is prioritised for economic reasons. Swedish spatial planning seeks to prevent such cases through systematic planning. The mandatory integration of urban greenery and so-called ecosystem services into the spatial planning system of the built environment represents a key tool of this process.
Stormwater Management in Practice: Motivations and Barriers from the Perspective of Czech Municipalities, by Natálie Čermáková, Lenka Slavíková, Jakub Binter
Effective local governance is crucial for climate change adaptation; however, the implementation of sustainable practices, such as stormwater management, varies widely among municipalities. This article aims to identify the factors that motivate Czech municipalities to implement stormwater management measures, as well as to identify the barriers they face during their implementation. The study is based on in-depth semi-structured interviews with representatives of 12 municipalities and one city district that have already implemented such measures. Thematic analysis of the interviews revealed that key motivating factors include direct experience with extreme weather events, personal vision, continuity in municipal leadership, and the availability of subsidy programmes. The most significant barriers were identified as the high maintenance costs, complicated property relations, and bureaucracy. The results indicate that the implementation process is strongly influenced by local specifics, with success depending on a combination of both external impulses and internal motivation.
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