Background

Nowa Huta, a district in Krakow, is one of the newest parts of the city that developed due to the location of the ironworks in the 1950s. Today, Nowa Huta is included in the Local Program of Revitalisation of the municipality of Krakow. The community living in the area is predominantly older, and there is also a high percentage of unemployment. The urban texture is run down, greenery and playgrounds are badly maintained, and there is a lack of parking space. Still, the two big quarters, B and C, seem to have a vibrant community, interested in the future of the area, and many cultural institutions and associations.

Objectives

Participants focused on creating ideas for the area of the two big courtyards and the alley that divides them to make them into a more efficient public space. The topic: “How to revitalise the public space of the housing area B and C in Nowa Huta?” The game was played in Nowohuckie Centrum Kultury, which also co-organised the event.

Winning idea

Bank of community services and acupuncture for a start

The group that came up with the winning idea observed that the community living in the area where the two courtyards are located is alienated. There are also conflicts within it, especially over parking; the two opposing groups are car owners and greenery lovers, so both groups declare it is better to leave things as they are, because change would not necessarily mean improvement. This diagnosis led them to decide that the most important thing is to allow community members to understand each other better and help each other in resolving everyday problems.

A solution would be a Bank of Social Services (BUS Bank Usług Sąsiedzkich), which would link those in need of help to those who can offer help, or would like to exchange services, such as walking a dog in exchange for help with looking after children. This would connect the people living in the area and prepare them to take diverse initiatives together. The bank would also offer workshops and training to all age groups, to enable residents to perform more efficiently in the job market.

Winning ideas from the other teams

Move Nowa Huta
How to move Nowa Huta -  first, economically, and then by changing the spatial environment? This group stressed that the built community is a manifestation of the condition of the community living in it. They proposed creating an incubator as the first step to encourage business growth, and such businesses should be supported by the municipality. As for spatial issues: the group would like to start with transportation. Centralny Square is called ‘connection/hub square’, but is not comfortable. This group would like to provide a roof over the pavement around the square which links all the stops, but opening the view to fields by moving one of the stops. The roof would be supported by columns in which an info point and a kiosk could be placed. Apart from tram traffic, car traffic should be reduced.

Green and colourful
The group suggested the idea of ‘Infoblat’ - a screen placed in the main square on which news could be constantly updated regarding all sorts of events taking place in the area. Their slogan was also ‘Kindergarten as the centre for ecological information’, for workshops that would be organised for all age groups. ‘Green roofs’ as the centre of community activity and sustainable elements (like solar panels) would be placed there – the first one would be arranged in MOWIS. The group suggested the concept of ‘Ptaszycki Square’ in the Aleja Róż as a place of rest and relaxation. Underground parking places would resolve the problem of the cars in the courtyards.

The new beating heart of Nowa Huta
This proposal stressed the micro and macro aspects of developing the area. The group would like to see the zone of the game as the centre of the bigger and newly developed part of Kracow, with its main investment called Nova Park – a technological park that would use the unused infrastructure of the Ironworks. By creating new jobs and the need for new housing and services, Nowa Huta’s economy would grow.

Creating together
This idea was based on how managing greenery would change the community. The lack of commitment and interest in public spaces shown by residents could be changed if the local residents financed greenery right next to buildings, and the inner part of courtyards was financed by the municipality. The next step would be that the management of maintenance (e.g. choosing a company) of the inner courtyard greenery was up to community, but still financed by the municipality. The greenery next to the building would be entirely the responsibility of the community. Such well maintained greenery would become a distinctive feature of courtyards in Nowa Huta. The overall effect, like colours and small architecture, would be planned by professionals.