Transformations of Prague Neighbourhoods: Focus Karlín

At the beginning of October, VI PER Gallery became The Snake Pub. This exhibition project by architects Kateřina Vídenová and Adam Wlazel from the studio MAK! is a reaction to dramatic changes taking place in city districts such as Karlín. The Thursday debate examines the possible dynamics of urban neighbourhood transformation, its gentrification, cultural potential and other social relationships. The architect and developer Jan Ludvík and sociologist Ondřej Špaček will appear in the debate. The debate is hosted by architect Igor Kovačević.

Jan Ludvík is an architect and managing director of the Karlín Group, a company that has been active in Karlín for many years. Karlín Group is with no doubt one of those that participate in the transformations of this neighbourhood. Their realised projects include Corso Karlín, River Diamond, Keystone, CornLofts Šaldova and many others. The Karlín Group is also one of the members of the Consortium for Karlín, established as an initiative of companies based in Karlín with a vision to participate in this city district transformation. Jan Ludvík graduated from the Faculty of Architecture of the Czech Technical University in Prague in 2001 and is one of the founders of the 3L studio.

Ondřej Špaček is a sociologist, graduate of the Department of Social Geography and Regional Development at the Faculty of Science and of Sociology at the Faculty of Social Sciences at Charles University, where he also gained his doctor degree in 2014. He has been focusing on social transformations at the background of the city for many years. He is an expert in topics such as post-industrial cities, large housing estates, dynamics of urban neighbourhood changes, gentrification, cultural capital, etc.

Igor Kovačević is an architect, next to his own architectural practice, he has long been interested in the possible uses of public space and the influence of urbanism. For several years, he has also been trying to initiate the use of the potential of the Karlín viaduct. In 2000 he graduated from the Faculty of Architecture at CTU in Prague. Together with the architect Yvette Vašourková, he founded the MOBA architectural studio and the CCEA association (Center for Central European Architecture). Recently, both have been intensively engaged in increasing the standard of public investment by organizing architectural competitions. Kovačević lectures at the ARCHIP school of architecture and at the North Carolina State University – Prague Institute.

The discussion is a part of the programme of the project The Snake Pub.