The city never sleeps; it is always on the move. People, goods, energy and ideas flow through major cities on a daily basis. Around the world, rail transit is experiencing a renaissance – as it becomes a more sustainable and efficient form of travel. And Prague is keeping abreast of this trend. Tens of kilometres of new lines and tunnels for trains, metro cars and trams will be built in the coming years. How will these changes affect everyday life? Which parts of the city will they connect and how will they improve travel within the Czech Republic and Europe as a whole? What new opportunities will investment in the transport infrastructure bring? And can new railways also mean a new city?

The answer to this last question was offered by the exhibition Prague Tomorrow? Connected City right from the start. Displayed at the entrance to the exhibition hall, there was an overview of the basic rules for urban planning hand in hand with the development of rail transport. A series of recommendations from IPR Prague’s urban planners then illustrated examples of good practice from abroad. After this hearty urbanistic introduction, the audience could dive into the intricate routes, tunnels, branch lines and dead ends of Prague’s railway junction, and more. They could explore it gradually, starting right in front of the large screen that, as usual, dominated the exhibition hall. A “nostalgia” theme, featuring the short screening of A Century of Rail, compiled from archival film and television footage, invited the audience to take a journey into the past. Anyone who prefers visions to nostalgia could stay on the platform until the arrival of the special express hurtling towards 2050. The future of rail transport in Prague was clearly presented by an animated diagram showing the new routes and lines—from the planned rail service to Václav Havel Airport, through the planned tunnels under the city centre, to new metro and tram lines. Visitors could then check out the future routes, including stops and stations, at their leisure on the touch screen of the interactive 3D model of Prague. In many ways, the dynamic content of the large-screen film was complemented by the illustrated guide on the opposite wall. There was a printed catalogue packed with information summarising the important context of rail transport planning and its impact on the city’s development. Anyone could take on the role of a train dispatcher and at the touch of a button set in motion a model train with a very unusual propulsion system—our express run through CAMP by pneumatic tube. The exhibition hall also saw the return of another popular piece of furniture—the sofa 2.0, which besides offering a comfortable place to sit and watch the film, also offered those who have already enjoyed the visual experience the opportunity to listen to what is happening beneath the surface of the city. Anyone wanting to learn even more about the development of rail transit could find some essential technical documentation in our study room (especially the Feasibility Study for the Prague Railway Junction including Fast Connections), or could choose from a diverse range of accompanying events including guided tours, lectures, debates and screenings.

A wide range of experts and organizations contributed to the preparation of the exhibition, including the Railway Administration, Mott MacDonald CZ, ROPID, the Prague Public Transit Company, and our colleagues from IPR Prague.