Prague faced with depopulation of city centre and influx of migrants












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            * Prague faced with depopulation of city centre and influx of migrants
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            How is Prague developing under the influence of the social and economic transformation tha

            place in Czech society over the last twenty years? An answer to this question was sought b
            social geographers from the Urban and Regional Laboratory of the Faculty of Science of Cha
            in a study entitled Social Changes in the Districts of Prague. The study, published in the

            year, was edited by doc. RNDr. Martin Ouředníček, Ph.D., and RNDr. Jana Temelová, Ph.D.
            “We regard Prague as an internally differentiated organism. In our studies we show how it 
            certain zones that differ significantly from one another,” states Dr. Ouředníček, explaini

            was studied on three levels: “First of all we present what you might call a microview of t
            of the city. We then endeavour to discuss urban issues, for example criminality and its lo

            the point of view of environs and try to determine whether there are any connections and r
            between environs and level of criminality. We then take a more detailed look at some local
            our research on specific case studies, in which we monitor selected microterritories, for 

            part of Wenceslas Square.”
            The life and shape of Prague have been affected on a fundamental level by, first, privatis
            restitution, then by the introduction of mortgages. The capital city now finds itself in a

            transformational period and is faced with similar problems to Western cities such as Vienn
            for example international migration. All European capital cities also have to deal with th
            their centres, and the marginalisation of their residential function by commerce, although

            not occurring to the degree it is in, for example, the United States of America.
            In the study, Dr. Ouředníček’s team endeavours to refute a number of stereotypes that freq
            connection with city life. One common theme is, for example, the tension, sometimes hostil

            between the original inhabitants of so-called satellite towns and new arrivals. “The studi
            at the faculty showed that these kinds of environment are entirely normal. It’s no paradis
            gets along, but the people there enjoy normal neighbourly relations, babysit each other’s 

            said Dr. Ouředníček.
            The research team also addressed criminality in the capital. In the course of their resear
            cooperated with the Police, which provided them with a variety of statistical data to use 

            The results of the study showed which localities are more prone to criminality. While the 
            attracts more pickpockets, residential areas more often have to deal with burglary and car
            also showed that criminality increased in areas with large shopping centres. “This include

            Zličín,” noted Dr. Ouředníček.
            Social Changes in the Districts of Prague is the first study of such scope and volume to d
            issues faced by the capital from the point of view of social geography. It is thus a valua

            empirically founded information, not only for inhabitants of the city, but also for offici
            hall and the local authorities of the individual Prague districts.                        
            The study Social Changes in the Districts of Prague is available at Bookstore Karolinum [ 
            include=podrobnosti&id=221067"] .