Czech architect Eva Le Peutrec has designed about 25 skyscrapers and her portfolio includes dozens of other prestigious buildings from hotels to railway stations or a city designed for one million people. She also managed to succeed in China and has worked for the famous Italian family Lamborghini. About her experiences from these projects, Eva talked to Property Forum in an interview. 

Within 10 or 12 years, Penta wants to complete its brand new Southbank mixed-use project in Bratislava. The commencement of the construction of Southbank now depends on the permitting process and ongoing changes to the master plan, which are being overseen by the Bratislava City Council. Once the zoning changes are approved, construction could start within 1.5 to 2 years, estimates Michal Rehak, Business Director of Penta Real Estate Bratislava. According to him, the company does not want to disclose the cost of the project or the detailed schedule until the new Bratislava master plan is approved.

Developer Crestyl wants to transform the centre of Brno near the main train station with the Dornych project, connecting the historic centre with the newly planned district. It is to create a freely accessible public space that will include six buildings with apartments, office and retail space and underground garages. The project, with a total investment of CZK 7 billion (€285 million), already has a zoning permit and expects to receive a building permit by mid-2023, the developer announced at a public presentation of the project.

Work has been underway for more than ten years on a major planning document for Prague - the new zoning plan. Its elaboration has cost the capital city CZK 135 million so far, while the assessment and elaboration of changes cost CZK 181 million. According to the city's statistics, 367 amendments are submitted annually, a number that the new metropolitan plan should significantly reduce. The new plan is also expected to unlock up to 15 areas where there is currently a building closure. If the metropolitan plan is approved as proposed, it could begin to take effect as early as 2023 and could unlock the construction of up to 150,000 new flats. The public now has 66 days to comment on the plan, local daily E15.cz reports.

Bucharest's Mayor Nicușor Dan said that the city needs a “correct urban development”, while the permitting process for property investments will be updated to include tougher criteria that have to be met by developers.

Urban space in the twentieth century belonged to cars. In the 21st century, it has been reclaimed by people – this is how current urban trends can be summarised. Inward development, the narrowing of streets to expand space for pedestrians, the building of a dense network of cycle lanes and strengthening the role of public transport are some of the measures taken in modern cities to improve the lives of residents. Colliers International, in cooperation with ULI, published an expert article on current urban trends

The future of cities is in the hands of today’s urban planners and real estate developers. Their decision will determine how an urban area can perform on an increasingly competitive global scene. Creating a city that attracts innovators and investors is in everybody’s interest, but all must be done in a smart, sustainable and responsible way. We report from Bucharest where Portfolio Conferences and RICS have organised SEE Property Forum for the second time.