Veselá street in Brno city centre is to undergo a complete transformation, according to proposals from the Brno City Architect’s Office (KAM), approved by the municipality earlier this month. The new plan for Veselá and part of Solniční will replace existing parking spaces with wider sidewalks, 17 new trees lining the street, places to sit, and space for restaurant gardens. The proposal is also a response to the transformation of the entire vicinity due to the construction of the Janáček Cultural Center. The street will remain accessible to permitted traffic.
The appearance of Veselá today is dominated by parking and car traffic, with almost no greenery, limited space for pedestrians, and few reasons to use the street other than passing through. The new conceptual study from KAM shows how to transform the street into a more pleasant public space, with trees, seating, restaurant gardens, and better conditions for pedestrians.
“Veselá has the potential to become an important pedestrian connection in the city center,” said Petr Bořecký, Brno city councillor for planning. “The Janáček Cultural Center and the new Ludvík Kundera Square are being built in its vicinity, transforming this entire part of the historical centre. We want these changes to be followed by a high-quality public space that is pleasant not only for walking through, but also for spending time. New greenery will therefore be an important part of the transformation – the study plans to plant up to 17 new trees.”
In the section from Česká towards the Janáček Cultural Center, the study proposes to supplement the existing greenery and create a more continuous tree line, while maintaining the view of Petrov and the bell tower of the Church of St. Michael. The study also takes into account the conditions that the new trees will need for long-term growth, for example by allowing them to use rainwater drained from the surrounding paved areas.
Pedestrians will also get more space. A sidewalk is proposed along the street with an average width of 4.3 metres, which will also allow the installation of benches in the shade of trees, and of restaurant gardens. On the corner with Středová, for example, the study proposes an expanded space up to nine meters wide, with trees, flowers, and lounge chairs.
“Changing the rules for entering the historic center allows us to use part of the space currently occupied by parked cars,” added Brno city councillor for transport, Petr Kratochvíl. “This can create wider sidewalks on Veselá, and add trees or places to sit, while maintaining the necessary traffic access, part of the parking capacity, supplies, waste collection, and access to the Velký Špalíček garage. I would like Veselá to become a new important pedestrian route, just as the newly repaired Česká will be.”
The conceptual study will serve as a basis for further project preparation by the city. Detailed plans for network management and other technical conditions of the proposed transformation will follow.
