The Significance of the Vltava River in Prague’s Socio-Cultural Space: An Analysis of Social Perception and Discourses

The diploma thesis examines the perception of the Vltava River by the residents of Prague as a socio-cultural space and explores the possibilities for its further development. It is based on a theoretical framework reflecting the historical, social, and ecological role of rivers in urban environments and focuses specifically on the Vltava as a significant natural and symbolic element of Prague. The aim of the thesis is to determine how people perceive the river, what relationship they have with it, how they use it, and how its role can be further strengthened and cultivated. The research combines three methods – a quantitative questionnaire survey, qualitative in-depth interviews with experts, and a frequency analysis of the Vltava’s media image. The findings show that the Vltava is perceived primarily as a space for leisure activities, recreation, culture, and sports, but also as an important symbol carrying strong emotional values, contributing to the identity of both the city and its residents. It was further confirmed that the perception and use of the river are influenced by environmental factors such as cleanliness of the river and its surroundings, and that the strong historical and cultural connection of the Vltava with the city represents an important basis for building a deeper relationship between residents and this space. However, barriers limiting the full potential of the river were also identified, in the form of insufficient direct contact with water or fragmented communication on the topic of the river. Based on the findings, the thesis proposes specific measures to strengthen the role of the Vltava in urban life, particularly through communication and participatory tools. This thesis thus provides not only insight into the current relationship of Prague’s residents to the Vltava but also offers specific suggestions on how this relationship can be actively developed in the future for the benefit of the residents, the urban environment, and the river itself.