Prague enviroment Eva Letinov Prague the capital of

Prague enviroment Eva Leštinová

Prague • the capital of the Czech Republic • founded c. 885 • always has played an important role in the history of the country and Europe • famous as one of the most beautiful cities of the world (“golden“, “hundred-spired“) • motto Praga Caput Regni (Praga Caput Rei publicae), Praga mater urbium • historic centre on the World Heritage List of UNESCO since 1992

Basic informations • Area: 496 km 2 • Population: 1 262 000 • Population density: 2 518 per km 2 • Geographical situation: 50° 05′ N 14° 25′ E • Average altitude: 235 m (min 177 m, max 399 m) • Climate: average temperature 9, 2°C; summer season (July) 19, 0°C; winter season (January) -0, 9°; annual rainfall 478, 9 mm • Main river: Vltava (30 km through the city, maximum width 330 m)

Municipal districts • Parts of the historical centre: Hradcany, Mala Strana (Lesser Town), Stare Mesto (Old Town) including Josefov, Nove Mesto (New Town) and Vysehrad • Administrative division: 22 administrative areas

• Prague’s wildlife and landscape provide the living space for a number of species of fauna and flora, and simultaneously they provide a high quality environment for everyday life and recreational activities of the inhabitants as well as visitors. • The city parks, historical gardens, woods, tree-lined avenues, areas of special protection, natural parks, and water courses create the unique spirit of the City and also contribute to its exceptional atmosphere.

• In the city of Prague you can find 88 protected areas of more than 2 200 ha, which cover about four percent of the entire city area.

For education, closer look and recreation there are nature trails

The core of these territories are nature parks, which at present there are 11 on the Prague’s territory and account for approx. 20 % of the total City area.

Area of forest land on the territory of the City of Prague is 4, 890 hectares, which is approximately 10 % of the City total area

• The total area of gardens, parks, and park areas being the property of the City of Prague accounts for over 2, 600 hectares, out of which 9% goes to parks, The oldest still existing garden formed part of a bishop's mansion founded in the Lesser Town in 1248. The reign of Emperor Charles IV. issued an ordinance on the establishment of vineyards and orchards on all hills within three miles of the city

Historical gardens

• In the Prague’s street alleys there approximately 26, 000 trees Trees affect air temperature, prevent streets to overheat, and alleviate temperature fluctuations and extremes. They also increase air humidity and have a great importance for the reduction in the amount of suspended particulate matter and noise burden. , they have positive influence on psychical state and aesthetic development.

Monumental trees

• Water courses and reservoirs also form an important part of the Prague’s landscape

• The Capital City of Prague is located in the widened part of the valley of the largest river in Bohemia the Vltava River, which forms its axis, having the large tributary of the Berounka River and numerous smaller tributaries. In total there are 99 creeks having overall length of approx. 295 km in Prague. The City also administers 37 lakes, 34 retention reservoirs, and dry polders.

Air • quality of air is monitored by Air Pollution Sources Register (REZZO) • Categories of Air Pollution Sources – Stationary air pollution sources (extremely large and large, mid-sized, small) – Mobile air pollution sources (transportation) • biggest emission sources: public and industrial power supplies, household heating, solvents and agricultural activities, automobile traffic • How to improve air condition - decrease in fuel consumption, change in heating, usage of newer cars, construction of supreme road system, support of public transportation

Major stationary air pollution sources

Waste • waste is a trouble of all municipalities in the world • the total production of waste in Prague in 2011 would cover the Wenceslas square till the hight of 60 metres • the whole territory of Prague covers Complete System of Municipal Waste Sorting

The waste sorted fall into the following categories: • • paper and cardboard mixed glass mixed plastics mixed bulky waste mixed waste; hazardous waste; ferrous and non-ferrous metals, demolition waste, electrotechnical waste, waste from care for greenery, wood waste, tyres

• • The Prague’s collecting yards, stationary collecting points of hazardous waste and facilities for waste treatment, processing, reuse and disposal,

Waste

Collecting yard

Noise • Overexposure to excessive noise is, similarly as air pollution, the most serious factor affecting health of inhabitants of large cities Road traffic is the major source of noise in urban environment and especially the heavily growing automobile transport Noise maps represent noise levels (values of indicators and their comparison to limit values), then they express population noise nuisanc

Strategic Noise Map of the Prague Agglomeration

Traffic intensity

Public transport • Underground (metro), trams, buses, trains • carries almost 3 million passengers daily

Buses, metro

Trams – history and today

Enviromental education • Activities of the Prague city hall • Schools and educational facilities • Non-government, non-profit organisations