Leading the Way

The 2024 POLIS Leadership Summit, hosted in Prague on 30 May, brought together mobility leaders from the public and private sectors to discuss pressing urban and regional transport issues. POLIS spoke with Prague's Deputy Mayor for Transport and Mobility, Zdeněk Hřib, to find out more about his city's ambitious goals.

An interview with Zdeněk Hřib, elaborated by Joathan de Vriendt.

POLIS: What does it mean for the City of Prague to take on a leading role in urban mobility by hosting the POLIS Leadership Summit? How does this opportunity allow the city to showcase its initiatives and influence the global discourse on urban mobility?

Zdeněk Hřib: By hosting the POLIS Leadership Summit, the City of Prague took on a significant role in promoting sustainable, safe, and equitable mobility, not only in the Czech Republic but also across Europe. We view this event as a unique opportunity to accelerate positive change by sharing know-how and best practices with international experts, municipalities, and regions, while also increasing public awareness and support for sustainable mobility solutions.

City of Prague

Prague can contribute knowledge and experience in developing its public transport system, which ranks among the best in the world. On the other hand, we seek inspiration from other cities that succeeded in building high-quality and safe cycling infrastructure and turning busy roads into liveable public spaces. This mutual exchange of knowledge in transport innovations is very valuable for all parties involved.

POLIS: In enhancing sustainability and safety in urban transport, what technological solutions is Prague employing, and how does the city ensure accessibility and inclusivity for all population segments, including vulnerable communities?

Zdeněk Hřib: The most visible and tangible new technology we are introducing to our passengers is an automated metro system, currently being procured for the newly constructed D line. The oldest C line will also be retrofitted with driverless technology, with operations expected to start in 2030. Needless to say, both lines and new trains will be fully barrier-free.

Earlier this year, we introduced an upgraded version of our MaaS app ‘PID Lítačka’, which now offers extended connection searches including active mobility, taxis, or even private car use. Besides intermodal trip planning, users can seamlessly buy tickets or subscriptions and pay for parking through the app.

Prague strives not to leave anyone behind, ensuring that new technologies do not create barriers for those with specific needs or elderly people. We offer heavily discounted fares for low-income individuals, and our seniors over 65 can travel free of charge throughout the city.

POLIS: In the transformation of public spaces into hubs for sustainable mobility, what projects in Prague prioritise pedestrians, cyclists, and public transport users? How does the city involve community feedback and participation in these initiatives?

Zdeněk Hřib: The reconstruction of the Smetanovo riverbank in the historic city centre is a significant project transforming a car-dominated area into a pedestrian- and cyclist-friendly space while also reducing barriers for public transport (trams). The first stage, already completed, includes 17 new trees with sustainable urban drainage systems, widening sidewalks with Prague’s signature marble paving, and introducing a unique cycle lane segregated from both motor traffic and pedestrians by curbs, inspired by Copenhagen. This is just the beginning. The second phase of the project covers a larger area and will establish a much-needed connection for bicycle traffic from the north to the south of the city, all within a heritage-protected historical context. This transformation will be completed with strict regulation of through traffic, fulfilling a promise made in 2015 when the tunnel bypass of the city centre was opened.

Our projects typically involve and benefit from public and stakeholder participation. Pilot projects often require a top-down approach in the initial phases to show what is possible and spark imagination for the next phases. For this project, a wide group of local stakeholders was involved in discussions, and the public was engaged through organised walks before and after the implementation of the first phase. The project has received positive feedback following the first phase, and the public is supportive of the next steps in the city centre.

POLIS: What specific financing models or strategies is Prague considering or already implementing to overcome financial barriers in advancing sustainable urban mobility? How does Prague ensure financial sustainability while balancing the need for investment in infrastructure and service improvements with affordability for residents and businesses?

Traditionally, sustainable mobility in Prague has focused on public transport, which facilitates the movement of large numbers of people with minimal impact on quality of life. The main challenge for the city is to establish a sustainable financing model for the operation of public transport, including the expansion of new tram sections, a new metro line, and locally emission-free buses. Currently, we are discussing the increase in fare revenues, which currently cover only 16% of Prague's public transport operating costs, or else we risk having to cut public transport services or slow down development investments in the coming years.

The political leadership is now faced with the difficult task of explaining to the public that increasing the share of costs covered by users is the only way to maintain the high quality of transport in the future. It is crucial that this adjustment does not affect the socially vulnerable. Additionally, to motivate Prague residents to use public transport instead of driving, on-street parking fees will also need to be increased. After all, there are more cars than parking lots in the city centre and an adequate price for on-street parking can also help address this problem.

Hřib making use of Prague’s Rekola bike-sharing service
City of Prague

POLIS: How does Prague engage citizens in shaping urban mobility, and which platforms or initiatives facilitate this involvement? Additionally, how does the city ensure diverse representation and meaningful participation from all societal segments, including marginalised groups?

It depends a lot on the scope of the plan. Key and large-scale plans are often discussed with the public by the Prague Institute of Planning and Development, be it directly through participatory processes, such as presenting modification proposals to the general public with presentations, discussions, and opportunities for comments, or through thorough consultations with stakeholders, which the public is informed about and invited to make recommendations and suggestions. However, thorough participation can be time-consuming and organisationally demanding. From the city's long-term vision, our Center for Architecture and Metropolitan Planning (CAMP) plays a vital role, hosting ongoing discussions and exhibitions on transport and public space. In the case of smaller projects, the activity is mainly managed by relevant city districts, which can use the methodical support of colleagues from the IPR to increase quality.

Hřib welcoming in one Prague's newly added tram stations
City of Prague

The level of public involvement also depends on the willingness of citizens to devote their time and attention to public affairs - and this is not yet a given. In recent years, cooperation with children and youth through the involvement of so-called school parliaments has been increasingly implemented.

The public is keenly interested in projects that have arisen in connection with schools - parents, children, public administration, NGOs, the police, and local businesses are effectively involved in ‘Safe Journey to School’. For smaller projects, such as the introduction of a school street, the school coordinates cooperation with parents.

POLIS: Regarding pedestrian and cyclist safety in urban mobility plans, what specific measures is Prague implementing, and how does the city collaborate with transport experts, urban planners, and advocacy groups to develop evidence-based safety strategies?

There is no doubt that pedestrians are the most vulnerable users of public spaces. Prague is working hard to provide safe, barrier-free opportunities to cross traffic lanes and, where appropriate, to introduce special traffic regimes that clearly prioritise pedestrians. Special attention is paid to the area around schools, as demonstrated by the comprehensive ‘Safe Journey to Schools’ project and the smaller-scale implementation of school streets.

We are also dedicated to improving conditions for urban cycling. By using the existing road network, we protect cyclists by implementing cycle lanes and dedicated waiting spots at traffic lights, which has significantly increased the city’s permeability for cyclists in recent years. We are also developing new lanes separated from cars. Given space limitations, these lanes are often shared between cyclists and pedestrians.

We continuously optimise our methodology for monitoring active mobility. Based on the information obtained, we adapt the built environment and traffic regime to better meet the real needs of users. This may include allowing two-way cycling on one-way streets, legalising pavement use for cyclists, and converting separate pedestrian and cyclist paths into mixed-use lanes.

More on: 

POLIS Leadership Summit

Leadership Summit and Political Group in Prague - Pavel Dvorak

‘The vision for Prague as a sustainable transport hub relies on strategic planning, substantial infrastructure investment, and proactive public engagement,’ said Zdeněk Hřib, Prague's Deputy Mayor for Transport and Mobility, to the 150 leaders in mobility who gathered in Prague at the CAMP (Center for Architecture and Metropolitan Planning) on 30 May 2024.

Featuring thought-provoking panels, engaging discussions, and concrete collaborations, the POLIS Leadership Summits are the solid ground where brave leadership and decisive action, at both local and global levels, meet and flourish, paving the way towards a more sustainable future of mobility. Our Prague installment followed suit and did not disappoint, delving into four essential topics for advancing urban mobility, each explored by expert panels.

Key discussions focused on:

• Technological Innovation: Developing e-vehicles and integrating digital passenger information and ticketing systems. Europe's goal to establish new charging points by 2030 underscores the need for collaboration among cities, OEMs, and charging point operators. Data sharing was highlighted as crucial for enhancing the mobility ecosystem and tackling urban logistics challenges.
• Reshaping Public Spaces: Emphasizing inclusive green and shared mobility. Utrecht’s success in reducing barriers and France's effective communication on mobility constraints were showcased. Engaging younger generations in the green transition through clear communication strategies is seen as vital.
• Optimising Financial Investment: Addressing financial challenges to support public transport, sustainable modes, and low-carbon vehicles. Discussions emphasized the importance of continued funding and planning to overcome past underinvestment and achieve net-zero mobility.
• Ensuring Just and Inclusive Transition: Ensuring all citizens benefit from sustainable mobility. The need for proactive public engagement and reducing barriers to access were key points.

The launch of the "Future of Mobility 5.0" study by Arthur D. Little and POLIS presented ten transformative visions for reimagining transport, highlighting a shift from private cars to shared mobility. However, scaling these solutions remains a challenge.

POLIS Political Group

On 31 May, the POLIS Political Group—a unique forum to foster peer-to-peer exchange and navigate the complex governance surrounding shifts to more sustainable mobility—brought together political figures from across Europe to discuss urban mobility challenges and innovative strategies. Held at the historic Lord Mayor’s Residence in Prague, the meeting emphasised the critical role of political leadership in driving transformative transport projects.

Mayor Bohuslav Svoboda highlighted Prague's plans to invest billions in public transport, cycling, and pedestrian infrastructure. Deputy Mayor Zdeněk Hřib elaborated on integrating public transport into new residential developments.

Experts discussed the growing importance of digital data in transport policy, focusing on vehicle data for planning, management, and compliance with urban mobility systems. The development and implementation of Sustainable Urban Mobility Plans were also a focal point, with leaders sharing insights to meet local and EU-wide mobility objectives.

The message was clear: achieving sustainable, inclusive, and technologically advanced mobility is challenging but possible with determined leadership and collaboration: the summit highlighted progress for the continued transformation of urban mobility across Europe.

Click here to read the article in its original format.

About the contributors: 

Zdeněk Hřib is Prague’s current Deputy Mayor for Transport and Mobility. As a leading figure in governance, particularly in urban mobility, he directs initiatives aimed at enhancing transport infrastructure and accessibility. Prior to his current position, Zdeněk served as Mayor of Prague from November 2018 to February 2023.

Jonathan de Vriendt ensures that all POLIS members stay happy, heard, and well-informed. He helps new members find their way in the POLIS Network, with its unique resources, networking opportunities, and support for European projects. Jonathan oversees all membership actions with specific attention to the needs of cities and regions.