Abstract
On the example of Prague, this chapter provides an overview of urban change since the collapse of communism. A short account of city historical development is followed by the description of political and socio-economic transformations which created conditions for dynamic changes in urban spatial organisation.
Particular attention is devoted to areas and localities of most dynamic transformations, such as city centre, selected nodes and zones in inner city, housing estates and suburban ring. The second half of the chapter discusses changes in city administration and management with focus on physical and strategic urban development planning.
Special interest is given to discrepancies between plans and realised investments. This leads to the discussion of main stakeholders and contemporary challenges in Prague's urban development.
In conclusion, the chapter suggests that a specific urban development regime developed in Prague, which combines neo-liberal free market rhetoric with local government political paternalism controlling investments patterns and thus the forms of urban growth.