About the project

In 2019, the town council, together with active members of the community, agreed on the need to revitalise the central area of Březové Hory. The square serves not only as a venue for a range of cultural and social events for local residents, but is also visited annually by tens of thousands of visitors to the Příbram Mining Museum. The current state of the square is unsatisfactory for a whole range of reasons: from its layout and traffic management to the accessibility of the retail area. The space also needs to be adapted to the ongoing effects of climate change.

Plans for the square’s redevelopment have been in the works for some time. At the instigation of local residents, the aforementioned architectural competition took place in 2022, with the terms of reference drawn up taking into account the views and needs of local residents. The local community was involved in the competition brief from the outset, for example through perception mapping, surveys and interviews. In May 2023, the Březová Hora Local Committee organised a public presentation of the competition at St Vojtěch’s Church on J. A. Alise Square, attended by the town’s leadership and the town architect, followed by an outdoor exhibition in July 2023. 

From September 2023, a working group met to discuss the needs of interest groups and suggestions from residents. The main topics discussed were the traffic arrangements for the square, the number of parking spaces, the location of bus stops, greenery, a water feature and the central area around the lime tree. The proposal, which took account of the discussions and suggestions, was presented on an ongoing basis through public presentations (February 2024, March 2024). 

In April 2024, a review of the transport solutions for the proposed revitalisation of J. A. Alis Square took place. As part of the review days, the study was continuously consulted with the heritage conservation authority, Diam and other relevant parties. The Březová Hora Local Committee initiated the project “Parking Alternatives around J. A. Alis Square” (brezovehory.eu), on which the town council, the town architect, the Department of Investment and Urban Development, and transport expert Ing. Jiří Kašpar are now collaborating. The result will be a study on parking and possible alternatives in Březové Hory in the vicinity of J. A. Alis Square. 

We are now presenting the draft study for the regeneration of J. A. Alise Square, as presented by the architects at the last extended working group meeting in June 2024. The final proposal will be presented to the public in September 2024 at a public presentation. This will be followed by work on the subsequent stages of the project documentation required to obtain planning permission and carry out the construction work, with implementation scheduled for 2027–2028.