Revitalization of districts in Gdańsk

Revitalization of districts in Gdańsk Joanna Poczobut Department of Environmental Design, Faculty of Architecture, Gdańsk University of Technology, Poland joanpocz@interia.pl SECTION A: SUSTAINABLE RENOVATION OF DISTRICTS: BEST PRACTICES Case study In the north of Poland, the biggest and most important economic, service and cultural centre is Gdańsk, the capital of Pomeranian Province. The city is situated on the Baltic Sea by the Bay of Gdańsk, and together with Sopot and Gdynia forms an agglomeration of almost one million inhabitants. In today s Gdańsk of rapid changes there are areas, which in the context of sustainable development of the whole city, are in urgent need of renewal programmes. They should follow three principles: [1] respect for resources referring to the protection and shaping of the natural and cultural environments and economical usage of various spaces, [2] harmonizing and uniting aims of the economic, social and ecological development of areas in the in the overall and inter sector formulation, [3] long term and cyclic planning and carrying into effect adopted assumptions in a constant way (1). In the so comprehended sustainable development of the city, the process of degraded urban areas revitalization becomes a necessity, its inseparable element. After the accession of Poland to the EU (2005), new possibilities of co funding revitalization programmes emerged. Direct opportunities for that in the first stage of funding 2004 2006 were created by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) within the scope of the Integrated Regional Operational Programme (IROP), the Sub measure 3.3.1 Revitalization of urban areas (Priority 3. Local Development, Measure 3.3 Degraded urban, post industrial, post military sites ). The only project co financed in Gdańsk then by means of that Sub measure was the Center Hewelianum an educational and recreational complex on the site of forts built in the 17 th century. The area is located in the downtown of Gdańsk, in its northeast part in the district of Grodzisko. The Local Revitalisation Programme (LPR) for the Center Hewelianum was accepted by the City Council in the year 2004. On the project there were involved representatives of different institutions: the Scientific and Programming Council at the Center Hewelianum, the Pomeranian School Superintendent, the Culture Park of City Fortifications Gdańsk Fortress, the Provincial Office for the Protection of Monuments in Gdańsk and the Polish National Tourist Office (2). The investment covering the area of 20 hectares (with 18 brick houses) was also co funded by the National Budget, including funds from the Ministry of Culture and National Heritage. The cost of the first stage of work amounted to 22 million zlotys (ca 5.7 million euros). In spite of the fact that the Park of Science and Technology has not been completed, a part of renovated buildings has been opened to the public. Several buildings were refurbished to become the office of the park management, and a former caponier (3) is a conference centre now. The area of the forts and the neglected neighbouring park was re arranged and tidied. All structures were marked with signs and provided with informative boards. 1

Fig.1. The fortification area at Center Hewelianum in Gdańsk (photographed by J. Poczobut, 2008). Fig.2. A part of view from the fortification area at Center Hewelianum. In the background: Saint Mary s church in Główne Miasto in main part of downtown (photographed by J. Poczobut, 2008). In 2004 thirteen areas have been marked out for revitalization (4). In the downtown and in its immediate neighbourhood the following districts were registered: Biskupia Górka, Dolne Miasto, Angielska Grobla Długie Ogrody, Stare Przedmieście, Wyspa Spichrzów and Grodzisko. A few more districts were originally mentioned in the renewal plans: Nowy Port, Brzeźno, Orunia, Dolny Wrzeszcz, Kolonia Abbega, Jelitkowo and Św. Wojciech. In 2006 the whole revitalization area in Gdańsk was much larger it covered the area of 3951 hectares (5). Letnica became another district for revitalization when there was pointed out the location of the stadium for Euro 2012. Fig.3. Schema of locations of areas marked out for revitalization in Gdańsk (as found out by the author). 2

Carrying out so many revitalization programmes at the same time is a difficult and risky task. That is why at the beginning, only two of the Local Revitalization Programmes (LPR) were dealt with for Dolne Miasto and Nowy Port. In 2004 a resolution sanctioning that situation was resolved by the City Council. The most important criteria for the choice of those districts were: thee high unemployment rate of local citizens, the low level of their education, their poverty and lack of initiative, the high degree of environmental pollution. Other conditions were the location on the area covered by historical monuments protection and a vital saturation of the area with structures having cultural values. The choice of the districts for revitalization was also determined by the poor state of buildings plus infrastructure networks and devices (6). In the second period of co funding projects by means of the EU resources planned for the years 2007 2013, four Gdańsk districts: Dolne Miasto, Letnica, Nowy Port and Dolny Wrzeszcz became the priority areas for revitalization. The Marshall of Pomeranian Province signed an agreement (on 2 October 2009) on the scope of revitalization ventures covered by co funding in the framework of Regional Regional Operational Programme for Pomerania 2007 2013 (ROP 2007 2013) at the level of almost 20 million euros. The agreement applied to the most neglected districts of five cities in the province. One of them is Gdańsk, which in the application for the co funding of four revitalization programmes gained in this way the certainty of getting the maximum number of points for meeting the criterion of social inclusion and economically degraded urban areas and improve the attractiveness of urban development zones (7). In Dolne Miasto, Letnica, Nowy Port and Dolny Wrzeszcz the historical urban configuration is still well preserved. The majority of houses date back to the turn of the 19 th and the 20 th centuries. Those districts were not completely demolished during the events of the World War II, especially in March 1945. In contrast to that, the most valuable part of downtown then (Główne Miasto) was almost 90% destroyed. So, when the war ended, the most vital necessity was its reconstruction. The repair work in less damaged houses was permanently postponed, however. Consequently, the multi year lack of complex renewal activities accelerated the natural process of technical degradation and contributed to negative, social and economic changes. The reversal of this tendency started not earlier than at the end of 1990s. Nowadays the preparation and carrying out of revitalization programmes is managed by Office of Urban Revitalization, Department of Urban Planning, Architecture and Historic Site Protection, Municipal Office in Gdańsk. The employees of that department have begun activities in earlier marked out areas. Among those priority districts of Gdańsk, Dolne Miasto was the first to be prepared for revitalization. It is one of the most interesting areas, having an attractive location. In the 19 th century, apart from being a living district, it performed the industrial function. There were a sugar refinery, oil mill, cast iron plant, and artillery workshops. There was also a hospital. In Dolne Miasto many other buildings having cultural values have been preserved. Among the most valuables, there are located in the southwest part 17 th century fortifications. They have been re arranged and serve as a green recreational area now. In Dolne Miasto in 2006 consultations with the local community were held. The building of former baths was changed into Łaźnia Centre of Contemporary Art, which within the framework of an educational programme cooperates with nearby schools. An open air gallery is planned, too. The undertaken actions are supposed to help with the establishment of better relationships of those in charge of the revitalization programme with local citizens. The main, the widest thoroughfare of the district, Łąkowa Street is to become a sort of parlour for that part of the city. 3

In the years 2008 2015 numerous ventures are planned for Dolne Miasto. One of the most needed will be the modernization of sewage and fresh water systems. The building of a new drainage system will be of equal importance. New tarmac surfaces will appear on local streets, green areas and small architectural structures ( street furniture ) will be complemented and re arranged. The renovation and refurbishing of buildings in which different cultural, social therapeutic and educational activities for people of various ages are to be cultivated are agreed upon, too (7). In Dolne Miasto educational programmes for those who are not looking for a job or are endangered by unemployment will be carried out (8). Fig.4. Łąkowa Street in Dolne Miasto. On the right: Neo Gothic church and Uphagen manorhouse (photographed by J. Poczobut, 2010). Fig.5. Starowiejska Street in Letnica (photographed by J. Poczobut, 2010). The main aim of work in the living/service part of Letnica is making its population more active and changing their life styles. There is major repair work in the case of 26 houses and the renewal of public space along with the rebuilding and modernization of streets. An essential element for future social activity will be the preparation of adequate rooms (in the building of a primary school). This will form the seat of local activity supporting Centre (7). Close to the houses of Letnica a new stadium, PGE Arena Gdańsk (pl. PGE / En. PEG Polish Energy Group), is being constructed at the cost of 645 million zlotys (ca 166 million euros), for 44,000 spectators, having the usable area of 37,000 square metres. A few matches will be played there as part of the European Football Championship 2012. Fig.6. Construction of PGE Arena Gdańsk in Letnica (photographed by J. Poczobut, 2010). 4

To the north of Letnica there is Nowy Port. The main priority in that area is the revitalization and adaptation of former city baths to provide for the needs of the community s cultural centre (8). The participants of that action will be local citizens and welfare organizations. The most important aspect of the action is an attempt to increase the people s social inclusion. To achieve that, an offer of activities for children, teenagers, adults and senior citizens is being prepared. Priest Jan Gustkowicz Square is going to be rebuilt and upgraded, as well (7). Fig.7. Former city baths in Nowy Port before adaptation for the needs of community s cultural centre (photographed by J. Poczobut, 2010). Fig.8. Dolny Wrzeszcz. Wajdeloty Street before rebuilding (photographed by J. Poczobut, 2010). The fourth priority area marked out for revitalization in Gdańsk is Dolny Wrzeszcz. There are blocks of buildings that were built in the 19 th century and in the beginning of the 20 th century located there. They house flats and services. Among the assumptions for the second stage of work in the district of Dolny Wrzeszcz there were the rebuilding and modernization of technical infrastructure of Wajdeloty Street and parts of other streets close to it, and digging an additional canal for the Strzyża River. An extremely important venture will be the minimizing of educational and social differences among the inhabitants of Dolny Wrzeszcz (7). The work involves local community leaders, non governmental organizations, and institutions working for the benefit of local community. It is expected that the results of the revitalization programmes in Gdańsk will be not only the restoration of its spatial order and the living conditions improvement enjoyed by the inhabitants of long neglected city parts, but also the increased attractiveness of those parts for possible investors. Right now, the most important task of the revitalization is encouraging the inhabitants to be more active in actions organized for the renewal of their district. It is really difficult to stimulate the feeling of being responsible for the state of their living district. There is a need for building community interrelationships and reinforcing their identity. These relationships are indispensable for the success of activities equalizing the man made environment with the natural environment (9). 5

References (1) As found out by A. Baranowski in: Baranowski A., Lipińska B., Michalski L., Przewoźniak M., Załuski D., Plan strategiczno operacyjny równoważenia struktury Aglomeracji Trójmiasta, kierownik zespołu A. Baranowski, Gdańsk 2002; s.2, msp. (2) Czyżewska A., Poczobut J., Skalski K., Raport ewaluacyjny w zakresie projektów rewitalizacyjnych zrealizowanych w ramach Zintegrowanego Programu Operacyjnego Rozwoju Regionalnego na lata 2004 2006 (ZPORR) w Województwie Pomorskim wraz z rekomendacjami dla Regionalnego Programu Operacyjnego dla Województwa Pomorskiego na lata 2007 2013 (RPO WP), zlec. Marszałka Województwa Pomorskiego współfinansowane ze środków Europejskiego Funduszu Rozwoju Regionalnego; Gdańsk, grudzień 2007; msp. (3) A Caponier is a type of fortification structure. The word originates from the French word caponnière which strictly means capon cote i.e. chickenhouse http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/caponier (4) Uchwała nr XXIII/689/04 Rady Miasta Gdańska z dnia 29 kwietnia 2004 r. w sprawie przyjęcia Programu rewitalizacji obszarów zdegradowanych w Gdańsku Lokalnego programu rewitalizacji; Gdańsk 2004. (5) Uchwała Nr LII/1806/06 Rady Miasta Gdańska z dnia 29 czerwca 2006 roku w sprawie zmiany Uchwały Nr XXIII/689/04 Rady Miasta Gdańska z dnia 29 kwietnia 2004 roku w sprawie przyjęcia programu rewitalizacji obszarów zdegradowanych w Gdańsku lokalnego programu rewitalizacji; Gdańsk 2006. (6) Sulikowski G., Słomczyński T., Lechman G., Raport z konsultacji społecznych projektów rewitalizacji dzielnic Nowy Port i Dolne Miasto w Gdańsku, Gdańsk, 01.2007 r.; str. 2. (7) Dobrowolska A. Zabiegamy o unijne środki na rewitalizację (w:) Herold Biuletyn Informacyjny Rady i Prezydenta Miasta Gdańska, Nr 172 / listopad 2009, Gdańsk; str. 9. (8) Lechman G. Gdański Program Rewitalizacji (w:) Herold Biuletyn Informacyjny Rady i Prezydenta Miasta Gdańska, Nr 166 / maj 2009, Gdańsk; str. 6 7. (9) Baranowski A., Sprawność I tożsamość struktur przestrzennych Metropolii Trójmiejskiej aspekt urbanistyczno architektoniczny (w:) Ład polskiej przestrzeni. Studium przypadku Metropolia Trójmiejska pod red. J. Kołodziejskiego i T. Parteki, Biuletyn PAN i KPZK, Zesz.199, Warszawa 2001; str. 134. 6