BREEAM Communities #3: Pedestrians and Cyclists First

We are continuing our series of articles on the BREEAM Communities certification, thanks to which Nová Zbrojovka ranked among the four best-planned urban districts in the world. This time, we take a closer look at the Transport and Movement category. It evaluates how easily, safely, and quickly people can move around the district every day. We will show you why, in Nová Zbrojovka, pedestrians and cyclists come before cars, and how thoughtfully designed infrastructure contributes to a higher quality of life.

BREEAM Communities #3: Pedestrians and Cyclists First

A District That Is Easy to Walk, Ride, and Live In

How can you tell a well-designed district? One sign is that you never have to think twice about how to get where you need to go. You walk to work, grab a coffee just around the corner, reach public transport or the train within minutes, and children can head to school or meet friends on their own. That is exactly how we think about mobility in Nová Zbrojovka. It is not just about roads and parking spaces. It is about how people move through the district every day and how they feel while doing so.

Naturally, comfortably, and without hassle. That is exactly what the BREEAM Communities assessors appreciated. In the Transport and Movement category, they evaluate not only transport infrastructure itself, but also its impact on safety, accessibility, the quality of public space, a healthy environment, and the overall sustainability of life in the district.

Streets Where You Never Have to Worry About Letting Your Children Go Outside

Safety is our top priority. Nová Zbrojovka is being developed in collaboration with transport engineers who have been working on traffic safety in Brno for more than twenty years. The result is a district where pedestrians and cyclists are not treated as an afterthought, but instead come first.

All streets except the main boulevard will operate under a reduced-speed regime. Most intersections will be raised and complemented by cobblestone paving that naturally slows drivers down. You will still be able to reach residential areas comfortably by car, but with greater consideration for the surroundings. Only the main city boulevard, which will be used by trolleybuses and buses, will allow a speed limit of 50 km/h. Even there, however, safety comes first. It will be supported by clear pedestrian crossings, separated cycle lanes, turning lanes, and bus bays. In some places, pavements will be separated from the roadway by bollards, further increasing pedestrian protection.

K1 road
intersections

Connection of Lazaretní Street to the K1 road - the future Stallerova Street. A reduced-speed limit will be in effect on the streets of Nová Zbrojovka

The intersections will mostly be raised and paved with cobblestones to calm traffic (visualization)

We also subscribe to the Vision Zero principle, whose goal is to prevent serious traffic accidents as much as possible. That is why pedestrian routes are well lit, barrier-free, and separated from car traffic to the greatest extent possible. Studies prepared for BREEAM Communities also confirm that all pedestrian routes and public spaces will be clearly visible, easy to navigate, and naturally overlooked by their surroundings.

That is why, in Nová Zbrojovka, parents will not have to worry about letting their children walk to school, after-school activities, or friends on their own. Today, fast cars and confusing road layouts are among the most common reasons why parents limit their children’s independence. That is why we are creating a district where not only children, but also cyclists, seniors, people with disabilities, and parents with prams will feel safe and comfortable.

Trolleybuses and buses will run along the main city boulevard. This will provide public transportation with a fast and comfortable connection (visualization)Safe crosswalks, dedicated bike lanes, turning lanes, public transportation bays, and high-quality street lighting will contribute to greater safety for all road users  (visualization)

Everything Close at Hand. In Nová Zbrojovka, We Measure Distances in Metres and Seconds

In Nová Zbrojovka, we do not measure distances in kilometres, but in metres. And instead of minutes, we talk in seconds. Hard to believe? In the mixed-use Montowna, for example, you can get from your apartment to your office or fitness centre in just a few steps. For coffee or everyday shopping, you simply take the lift a few floors down. From Amenities Park, where you can play volleyball, football, or basketball, or simply relax in the greenery with a coffee or beer in hand, it is only a matter of seconds to the restaurant or snack stand. The various places and activities are connected so naturally that you almost feel as if you are “teleporting” between them.

We are building the district according to the short-distance city” principle – anywhere within the district can be reached within 650 metres, and most everyday needs can be taken care of on foot. Whether you are heading out for a walk with your dog, taking the children out, meeting friends, going to a restaurant, or doing sports, everything is close at hand. Even today, Nová Zbrojovka is alive with concerts, exhibitions, community events, and family afternoons, so there is certainly no shortage of ways to spend your free time here. And in the future, an even broader range of shops, services, and a cultural and social centre will be added.

Pedestrians and Cyclists Have the Green Light

The safe movement of pedestrians and people on bicycles and scooters is a priority for us, and we are adapting the infrastructure of the entire district accordingly. When you look at a map of Nová Zbrojovka, you quickly notice one thing – pedestrian and cycling routes form the backbone of the entire area. A large part of the district is connected by pedestrian zones running from north to south and from east to west. The very centre of Nová Zbrojovka will be reserved for people only, not cars.

Cycling plays an equally important role. The site connects to the EuroVelo 9 European cycling route, also known as the Amber Trail, which runs along the Svitava River. By bike, you can comfortably reach Olympia or Bílovice nad Svitavou within half an hour. We are also preparing high-quality facilities for cyclists – bike storage rooms, service stands, shared bikes, showers, and changing rooms in office buildings. Bicycle storage will also be available in every office and residential building. Some of these services are already operating today in Amenities Park and in ZET.Office, where employees commute to work by bike.

ZET.Office
ZET.Office
ZET.Office
Amenities Park

Cyclists will find top-notch facilities here: bike racks, repair stands, bike-sharing services, and facilities in office buildings. Some of these services are already available, for example at ZET.Office

Some of these services are already operating today in Amenities Park and in ZET.Office, where employees commute to work by bike

Train, Public Transport, and the City Ring Road Within Easy Reach – the Motorway in 10 Minutes

Nová Zbrojovka will be connected to Brno from four directions. The access road from Lazaretní Street and the connection from Zábrdovická Street are already complete. One advantage is the direct connection to the major city ring road, which allows you to reach the highway in 10 minutes and easily access other parts of Brno. A new bridge over the Svitava River is also planned.

Accessibility is already one of Nová Zbrojovka’s greatest advantages. Within walking distance, you have tram stops (lines 2, 3, and 4), taking you to Brno city centre in 7 minutes, as well as bus stops(lines 55, 58, 78, and 201). The Brno-Židenice railway station lies right on the edge of the site, offering both regional and long-distance connections, including trains from Prague and Bratislava.

Looking ahead, we are planning new public transport stops and the introduction of a trolleybus line. Modern stops will feature digital departure boards, camera systems, and lighting powered by renewable energy sources. Public transport will be easily accessible, safe, and easy to navigate. The stops will be complemented by well-lit crossings with excellent visibility.

Nová Zbrojovka transportation
Public transportation, trains, and quick access to the city ring road ensure convenient travel both within and outside Brno

No Traffic Bottleneck Here. We Support Alternative Mobility and Everyday Comfort

Of course, we have not forgotten about drivers – we are planning sufficient covered parking spaces as well as ample parking capacity for residents, businesses, and visitors. We are not against cars. We simply believe they should not take up space that can be used by people. That is why most parking spaces will be placed in underground garages – creating more room above ground for greenery, relaxation, social interaction, and safe movement. The large outdoor car park currently being built opposite Kotelna will serve only as a temporary solution until its function is taken over by parking capacity in newly completed buildings.

We also place strong emphasis on alternative mobility – supporting walking, cycling, bike sharing, car sharing, and the safe use of scooters and e-scooters. We are also responding to the current need to reduce emissions and are preparing sufficient parking spaces for electric vehicle charging.

Nová Zbrojovka will not serve as a shortcut for cars passing through Brno. The district will primarily be accessed by people who live, work, or spend their leisure time here. We are designing the residential parts so that regular transit traffic does not pass through them, contributing to a calmer atmosphere and a more pleasant environment for everyday life.

And what about freight traffic during construction? We have thought about that too. Heavy goods vehicles will be routed along dedicated roads so that they affect life in the area as little as possible. The southern part of Nová Zbrojovka will remain practically untouched by construction traffic, and the movement of heavy vehicles will be kept away from pedestrian and cycling routes. The result is a carefully developed system that allows the district to function without unnecessary conflicts between different modes of transport.

K1 road
Markéty Kuncové Street
Entrance to the southern part of Nová Zbrojovka: The second section of the K1 road - the future Na Berance Street - between Hrad and Montowna (on the left) and Morizz (on the right)Near the Tesla car factory in the northern part, we are building a new direct connection to the city ring road via Markéty Kuncové Street

Fewer Cars – Cleaner Air and a Healthier City

Smart mobility is not only about getting from point A to point B. It has a direct impact on quality of life, health, and the character of public space. Fewer cars mean less noise, fewer emissions, and cleaner air. More pedestrian routes and cycle paths also encourage active movement and a healthier lifestyle. A thoughtfully designed street layout creates an environment where people feel safe and enjoy spending time outdoors.

Public transport also plays an important role. The new city boulevard is designed for trolleybuses, which are among the most environmentally friendly and energy-efficient forms of urban transport.Thanks to electric propulsion, they are quiet, produce no local emissions, and contribute to cleaner air. Fast orientation within the area is important as well. This will be made easier by a system of digital and traditional information totems that will help you quickly find the right direction and provide up-to-date information about individual buildings and services across the entire district.

When Smart Planning Becomes Reality

What matters most is that the BREEAM Communities principles being assessed are not just a vision on paper – a number of works have already been completed and others are now in preparation. For example, we have already delivered the transport connection from Zábrdovická Street and are finalising another direct connection to the city ring road via Markéty Kuncové Street. This autumn, Road K1 – the future Stallerova and Na Berance streets – will be completed. We have also already obtained the building permit for the main city boulevard and the future central square, which will become the social heart of the entire Nová Zbrojovka district. And that is not all – many other projects are in preparation and are gradually being brought to life.

Šámalova street
Šámalova street
The completed renovation of Šámalova Street, which connects Zábrdovická and Lazaretní Streets, will eventually link up with the new city boulevard Šámalova Street from a bird's-eye view, with the Zábrdovice swimming pool on the left

We are creating a district where people move with ease. Everywhere is quick, safe, and comfortable to reach – today and twenty years from now.

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  • Morizz

    Morizz

    Set directly in the waterfront area of the neighbourhood overlooking the Svitava River, the Morizz residence offers spacious and airy units full of light.

    Detail of the space
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    At the end of 2019, the former warehouse was transformed into an administrative space with a superior working environment, loft offices and leisure facilities.

    Detail of the space
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    Detail of the space