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 is offered by the exhibition Prague Tomorrow? Connected City right from the start. Displayed at the entrance to the exhibition hall, there is 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 illustrate examples of good practice from abroad. After this hearty urbanistic introduction, we're ready to dive into the intricate routes, tunnels, branch lines and dead ends of Prague's railway junction, and more. We will be exploring it gradually, and can start in front of the large screen that, as usual, dominates the exhibition hall. A "nostalgia" theme, featuring the short screening of A Century of Rail, compiled from archival film and television footage, invites you to take a journey into the past. Anyone who prefers visions to nostalgia can stay on the platform until the arrival of the special express hurtling towards 2050. The future of rail transport in Prague is 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. You can then check out the future routes, including stops and stations, at your leisure on the touch screen of the interactive 3D model of Prague. In many ways, the dynamic content of the large-screen film is complemented by the illustrated guide on the opposite wall. There is a printed catalogue packed with information summarising the important context of rail transport planning and its impact on the city's development. Anyone can 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 runs through CAMP by pneumatic tube. The exhibition hall also sees 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 offers those who've already enjoyed the visual experience the opportunity to listen to the future of subsurface transport and to experience a ride on the D metro line for themselves. Anyone wanting to learn even more about the development of rail transit can find some essential technical documentation in our study room (especially the Feasibility Study for the Prague Railway Junction including Fast Connections), or can choose from a diverse range of accompanying events including guided tours, lectures, debates and screenings.

We would like to thank a number of experts and organisations for their help with preparing the exhibition, especially the Railway Administration, Mott MacDonald CZ, ROPID, the Prague Public Transit Company, and our colleagues from IPR Prague.