Who Is Petr Hlaváček? The Architect Set to Become Prague’s Next Mayor

Petr Hlaváček is seeking to become the Czech capital’s next mayor after his political movement, STAN, won the municipal elections.

STAN received 23.16 percent of the vote, securing 17 seats in the Prague City Assembly and putting the movement in a strong position to negotiate the next governing coalition.

Hlaváček, currently deputy mayor for territorial and strategic development, has indicated that he wants to take the top job at City Hall.

His priorities include expanding housing construction, redeveloping former industrial sites and improving transport infrastructure.

A key role in Prague’s new zoning plan

Hlaváček’s main achievement as deputy mayor has been his involvement in preparing Prague’s new Metropolitan Plan, which replaced the previous zoning document from 1999 when it came into effect in September 2026.

The plan sets out where construction can take place and establishes rules for future development. It identifies capacity for up to 350,000 new homes, primarily through the redevelopment of brownfield sites.

One of the main projects is the transformation of Bubny-Zátory, an underused area expected to provide housing for around 20,000 people.

Hlaváček has also backed the Prague Development Company, which manages municipal land and aims to increase housing construction. According to him, the company could facilitate the development of up to 70,000 homes while helping prevent city-owned land from being sold off.

Transport and housing at the top of his agenda

If appointed mayor, Hlaváček wants to continue work on major transport projects, including Prague’s inner ring road and the Prague Ring Road. He also supports expanding public transport and reforming parking policy, arguing that parking in the city is often too cheap.

Before the elections, he said STAN would welcome continuing the existing coalition at City Hall but wanted a more prominent role, depending on its electoral support.

From architect to deputy mayor

Born in Zlín on July 31, 1961, Hlaváček graduated from the Faculty of Architecture at the Czech Technical University in Prague. He later established his own architectural studio, taught as a visiting professor at the University of Michigan and served as vice-dean at his alma mater.

His professional work includes the renovation of the Czech Embassy in Brasília, Brazil.

In 2015, he became director of the Prague Institute of Planning and Development. He was dismissed the following year amid criticism over delays to the Metropolitan Plan, a decision that prompted protests from institute employees.

Hlaváček entered Prague politics after the 2018 municipal elections and became first deputy mayor for territorial development and spatial planning in November 2021. He remained in the city leadership after the 2022 elections and took responsibility for territorial and strategic development in February 2023.

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