Viadukt kreativní - Revitalizace území kolem Negrelliho viaduktu

In December 2024, the operation of the Pilot Arch of the Negrelli Viaduct in Karlín started.

The arch will be in trial operation for two years and residents will be welcome to use it for pop-up non-commercial events free of charge.
Reservations can be made at https://viaduktkarlin.cz/

CCEA MOBA initiated a complete revitalization of the area and the possibility of using the arches for available creative activities of the Prague citizens.
The project was initiated by the upcoming reconstruction of the structure, which was provided by Správa železnic. Through activities in cooperation with local associations, residents, artists, we started to bring attention to the potential of the area around the viaduct. The first event was the Track of Galleries in 2013, where ten major Prague galleries prepared installations under the arches. Gradually, we managed to acquire the land under the arches for the City of Prague, prepare a study of the revitalisation of the viaduct surroundings and ensure the possibility of accessible use of the spaces under the arches. As part of the plan, the Prague City Council adopted a unique strategy to use the new spaces under the arches in a way that would make them available for local businesses: 40% commercial (bars, bistros, etc.), 40% creative (studios, workshops, etc.) and 20% for start-ups (fledgling art projects). Design preparations are now underway for the whole area.

More about the revitalization process: https://viaduktkreativni.cz/

Process:
2012: The spaces under the arches and along the viaduct were used as an illegal parking lot and a waste dump.
2013: In cooperation with ten Prague galleries, we organized the Line Galleries Prague event under the viaduct to highlight the potential for new uses after the planned reconstruction, which had been prepared by the Railway Administration since 2010. The renovation project addressed technical aspects, focusing solely on the structure itself rather than its surroundings or the spaces beneath the arches.
2014: We recommended that representatives of the City of Prague transfer the land under the viaduct’s arches to the city and the land under the pillars to the Railway Administration as part of a planned land exchange.
2015: In collaboration with Karlín Group, we organized the symposium Negrelli Viaduct = Creative Incubator, bringing together city representatives, the Railway Administration, the National Heritage Institute, SUDOP designers, and guest architects from Vienna, Berlin, and Zurich, who had experience with viaduct renovations.
2016: We launched Summer Under the Viaduct to test the future transformation of the public space around the viaduct. During the summer months, the area became a gathering and relaxation spot, featuring volleyball, ping pong, and basketball courts, a stage, a summer bar, and lounge chairs.
2017: The Revitalization Concept Study for the area was approved by Prague 8 District.
2018: The Railway Administration began a complete reconstruction of the viaduct.
2019: The Prague City Council approved CCEA MOBA’s revitalization plan, which included over 40 affordable rental spaces under the arches. The strategy ensured that the spaces would remain accessible for local entrepreneurs: 40% commercial (bars, bistros, etc.), 40% creative (studios, workshops, etc.), and 20% for startups (emerging artistic projects).
2020: We began preparing the Pilot Arch project.
2021: The project was taken over by the Department of Transport of the City of Prague, and further refinements were made in collaboration with TSK (Technical Road Administration).
2022: Building permits were secured in cooperation with TSK.
2023: The Pilot Arch was constructed by Strabag.
2024: The Pilot Arch was launched, offering space for community activities. Over the next two years, both the potential use and technical properties of the space will be tested.