Holešovice

Holešovice is a formally very industrial neighborhood in Praha 7. The area has a lot of good transit connections, including the arterial tram segment 1 and 25, as well as the arterial tram route 17. In addition to this, minor, but frequent, tram routes 8, 12, 14, 24, and 26. Metrobus route 112, as well as standard bus routes 156 and 201. Most importantly, Nádraží Holešovice and Vltavská stations on Line C serve the neighborhood. In addition to this, Esko routes R4, S4, and S41 connect to Line C at Nádraží Holešovice, and route S5 serves Nádraží Bubny in central Holešovice. My main transit suggestion would be to remove the park and ride at Nádraží Holešovice, as it uses up valuable land in an urban, walkable neighborhood without need for it. Another, more minor, suggestion I have is to improve the transit connections at Strossmayerovo Náměstí. Although a major transit hub, the area is currently little more than some tram stops. I would suggest expanding the platforms, widening the sidewalks, and putting in enhanced shelters with LED information screens at each stop on the square. Anyway, Holešovice itself is quite nice nowadays, and is dominated by the Church of Saint Anthony of Padua. Businesses in Holešovice are quite varied, with many convenience stores, markets, and bars scattered throughout Holešovice, especially near Strossmayerovo Náměstí. In addition to these neighborhood businesses, there is still a fairly strong industrial base, especially along Bubenské Nábřeží. The National Gallery in Prague, as well as the Holešovice Exhibition Hall, are both located here as well. Housing stock is made up mostly of older apartments from the 18th to early 20th century, with less elaborate, more simple outsides than in, for example, Malá Strana. However, there are also a few paneláks and newer apartments as well. A big problem is the many surface parking lots in the area, especially in the southeastern corner of the neighborhood. I would propose turning these spaces into parks, but more interactive and playful than the formal French gardens which Praha has enough of already. Interactive fountains and playgrounds could help draw in children, and seating designed for social interaction and spreading out could be made for their parental guardians. In addition to this, a small area with large, mature trees for sitting and people watching would be a welcome addition to the neighborhood, as well as possibly a small skate park or something like that, if space permitted, as I saw no skate parks in the entire city of Praha during my two and a half week stay there. A really great, vibrant neighborhood with a close proximity to the Old Town.