A school yard doesn't have to be an asphalt pan, and a streetcar loop - a sad and inaccessible lawn. More green metamorphoses have been successful in Poznań , and more are planned. Other schools and a new neighborhood will be enriched with greenery. About the streetcar loops, however, it is quiet.
A school clad on almost every side in concrete or asphalt is still a common sight throughout Poland. Poznan was no exception, but the situation is finally changing. Asphalt heat pits are turning into green and diverse spaces. A swallow of the more extensive changes that the City has in mind is the completed transformation of the spacious courtyard of General School Complex No. 33 in the historic Lazarus district ( we mentioned its plans more than 2 years ago).
New greenery in Poznań - the main courtyard of SP 33 on Wyspiańskiego Street; on the sides two pavilions of the school, in front - behind the trees - a gymnasium in the former exhibition pavilion of the General National Exhibition
Photo: Jakub Głaz
The school complex is made up of four historic free-standing buildings surrounding the courtyard and a sports hall. It is one of the most interesting educational institutions of the early 20th century. The complex of buildings was built between 1907 and 1914 and was the first pavilion-type school in Poznan (designed by Franz Teubner). Despite its historic, classicizing form, the school was very modern. The free layout of the pavilions provided light and fresh air, and the spacious courtyard was intended for recreation and physical exercise.
2,000 meters of pans less
In recent decades, the form of the courtyard contrasted unfavorably with the interesting architecture. The asphalt plaza with only a few preserved trees strongly heated up and did not encourage recreation very much (all the more so since Kasprowicz Park is located next to ZSO 33). The council of the St. Lazarus estate sought to change this situation. It commissioned a project from its own resources, and then won 700 thousand zlotys in the city's grant competition for neighborhoods. The entire project was carried out by the combined efforts of the Estate Council, the school and the City.
New greenery in Poznań - the main courtyard of ZSO 33 at Wyspiańskiego/Jarochowskiego Street; an educational fragment (sensory garden) of the green establishment
Photo: Jakub Głaz
The reconstruction was carried out last year, and now the results can be fully evaluated. Asphalt and concrete were removed from 2,000 square meters of the square's surface. They were replaced with low greenery (2 thousand seedlings of various perennials and shrubs) and six new trees, which in the future will form a green "roof" together with the old trees preserved in the square. There is also an educational sensory garden with plant boxes and different types of surfaces (gravel, bark, etc.). Alleys lined with openwork concrete prefabricated elements also run through the area and divide the space into smaller plots. These are still temporarily fenced, but are to be open to the public in the future. The alleys also lack benches or seats so far. They are badly needed, especially since, according to the City's statement, the courtyard is to serve not only the school, but also the surrounding residents. In addition, the small architecture that should appear in the square requires careful selection. So as to avoid the aesthetic clash that can be seen under one of the school's historic pavilions. It is created by a needed, but unfortunate placed bike shed.
New greenery in Poznań - ZSO No. 33 on Wyspiańskiego/Jarochowskiego Street; haphazardly placed bicycle sheds
Photo: Jakub Glaz
However, the whole changes deserve a positive assessment, so the declaration of the city authorities that the concrete "pans" will turn into green spaces in more elementary schools is welcome. The desert courtyard of one of Poznań's fourteen "thousand-year-old" schools will undergo a metamorphosis: SP 77 (also in the Lazarus district). The change will also take place in schools No. 11 and 20 (in the modernist housing estates of Wichrowe Wzgórze and Stefan Batory) and in SP 82 on Krakowska Street in the city center.
The courtyard of SP 77 in Lazarus in Poznań
source: sp77poznan.pl
green node in the loop
Since March this year, you can also enjoy another "reclaimed" green space. We're talking about the transformed "interior" of the Ogrody streetcar termin us on Waryński Square. Previously, it was, admittedly, a green area, but, firstly, inaccessible, and secondly - not very attractive. Now, after the change, it is a small park ( we described the plans for its creation a year ago). At the same time it provides a very practical link between the streetcar and bus stops. No wonder, then, that on a sunny day most of the benches are occupied by local residents and travelers.
New greenery in Poznań - Waryński Square - a mini park inside the streetcar loop; entrance from the corner of Szpitalna and Dąbrowskiego Streets
Photo: Jakub Głaz
The change was initiated by the Garden Estate Council, and carried out by the Public Transport Authority. Although 10 neglected trees had to be cut down, 24 new specimens have appeared on the square. There are also new shrubs, perennials and flowers. Twelve benches have been ere cted along the permeable paved alleys. In the middle there is also a small square surrounded by seats, intended for the operation of a mobile food outlet (such as a bicycle cafe).
New greenery in Poznań - Waryński Square - mini park inside the streetcar loop; a square with space for mobile gastronomy
Photo: Jakub Głaz
Friendly lighting is provided by 21 intimate park lanterns. Importantly, close to the access to the bus stops there is a public restroom integrated into the whole establishment. Next to it is a dead-end technical alley. In the future , it would be useful to extend it, through the tracks, towards the stops on Szpitalna Street (this would make sense from the point of view of pedestrians). The transformation of the Gardens loop shows how residents can gain a "new" space quite easily. All that is needed is to open it up, plan it sensibly and supplement it with new green oases and small architecture.
New green space in Poznań - Waryński Square - mini park inside the streetcar loop; transition from the green space to the starting stop of the loop
photo: Jakub Głaz
Osiecka with retention, Francis with competition
On the opposite, eastern side of the city, on the other hand, work is underway to develop Agnieszka Osiecka's square on the areas of Łacina and Polanka, which have been developed in the last decade. Planners have delineated this rectangular square between two quarters of residential buildings and two "frontages" formed by the almost windowless, graphite walls of Posnania shopping center - the largest building of its kind in the city. The key here should be to obscure the gloomy facades of the shopping mall with greenery - preferably according to a design selected in a competition. However, the city did not organize it and decided that the square would be occupied in large part by a retention basin and enriched with new greenery and small architecture from the city's catalog.
Project of Agnieszka Osiecka square in Poznan, - retention tank, square and new greenery; left and top - Posnania shopping center, right and bottom - residential development
Source: FB/Krzysztof Skrzypczak - Councilman of Rataje Estate
New greenery in Poznań - square of Agnieszka Osiecka, construction of retention tank and greenery, view from under CH Posnania (on the right one of the windowless walls of the complex is visible)
photo: Jakub Głaz
The project was put out to tender, it looks decent, but "decent" is far too little in this one of the few enclaves planned for green space in Łatin. All the more so because Osiecka Square will be connected in one corner by a passageway to the planned St. Francis Park next door, whose concept was selected in a competition. We recalled the result of this competition recently on our portal. The design work, after consulting with residents and refining the final solutions, is nearing completion. Construction, after tendering for a contractor, could begin this fall. The City Council is expected to decide soon on the allocation of money for this purpose from this year's budget. Unfortunately, smooth communication of investment intentions and dialogue with residents has recently died down. The Urban Greenery Board, which is in charge of the future park, has not provided updated visuals and information on its website.
New greenery in Poznan - the area for a future park between Polanka and Łacina on Kórnicka Street, view from the south-west, on the left a block of flats on Sowie Street
photo: Jakub Glaz
New green areas in Poznan - area for future park between Polanka and Łacina at Kórnicka Street, view towards Agnieszka Osiecka square, in the background - Posnania shopping center
photo: Jakub Głaz
So far, we 've also heard nothing about plans to turn more streetcar loops into green transfer points to shorten access time and make waiting for a streetcar more pleasant. There are at least a few places with potential. These include, for example, loops in Debiec, Miłostów, Piątkowska, Zawady and Starołęka. The serial greening of schoolyards has already begun, and it's time for a similar move for the loops. The transformation of Waryński Square shows that this is a very good direction.
