The paper deals with the problem of "TOADS" (temporarily obsolete, abandoned, and derelict sites) and "TLUs" (temporary land uses), which in the Czech debate is, among other things, the question of gap-sites. Gaps are an integral part of many central districts, not only in Czech cities. To a large extent, they are either not used in any way or are temporarily used to saturate the number of parking spaces needed. However, many examples show that the range of their temporary use is considerably wider. The existing literature on the subject emphasises the need for an information base similar to that provided in the form of spatial plans or spatial analysis documents, which would focus specifically on gaps and thus facilitate their temporary use. The paper looks for which characteristics of gaps are essential for building the information base and how they influence the spectrum of their use. It focuses mainly on the spatial, functional and legal aspects of gaps. It is shown that the physical form of the gaps, whether they are temporarily used or not, plays a crucial role not only for the gap itself but also for its surroundings, influencing, for example, property prices in the neighbourhood. Similarly, maintenance plays a crucial role. The paper therefore then presents a set of spatial characteristics of gaps that are most manifested in their surroundings. The paper also works with a set of examples of temporary use of gaps from Czech and foreign cities.
Publikace