Background

The ‘Green Workshops’ Future City Game was initiated by Poznań City Council with the help of the British Council. Six teams took part in this Game - district residents, city council officials, students of architecture, architects, activists, and members of NGOs.

Objectives

The purpose of the game was to find interesting solutions to make Jezyce courtyards greener and more attractive with the use of plants, but also through small architecture and the grassroots initiatives of local residents.

Winning idea

Staszica 7 courtyard
The changes in this courtyard would be discussed with its residents. The idea was to create a space that would inspire positive energy through cultural events such as poetry readings etc. Three stages of the project were created: consultations, testing of the projects, raising funds to support the final project. This courtyard has a smaller inner courtyard which could become a space for children. The main courtyard would be transformed through the experimental use of greenery.

Winning ideas from the other teams

The green point
The green point is a project for managing part of a school courtyard. The team decided to introduce plants into a section of the courtyard in such a way that would enable students to easily pass through it in order to get to the playground. The implementation of the project would need the students to participate and help in planting flowers during a special weekend festival. The students’ involvement would protect the plants from being neglected in the future.

Courtyard with a potential
‘Courtyard with potential’ is a space with difficulties which needs to be reshaped in order to improve the situation of the residents. The problem of the courtyard is its shape – long and narrow. The team suggested that the greenery should be transferred to an adjacent courtyard. The team has also introduced a set of small changes in the architecture of the courtyard that would improve the lives of residents.

Staszica 8 courtyard
This courtyard has already undergone some changes, and its residents have already created a small garden. The team proposed creating a space for children and adding a Morris column pole with classifieds, which would improve communication among residents. An important item was the creation of a space for bicycles and prams.

Staszica 24 courtyard
This courtyard should become a friendly space of integration and recreation, and is supposed to be decorative. The team suggested introducing elements of small architecture that would be mobile and could be stored when not used. 

Staszica 11 courtyard
This courtyard consists of two interiors. The key point here was to brighten up the courtyard using reflected sunshine. The team would like to introduce a ‘secret garden’ atmosphere to this courtyard by planting roses and shrubs and creating a trompe d’oeil fresco on the wall. The second space would have a barbecue area.