Anna Jurgielewicz-Wilkiel, representing the Polish Plant Nursery Association and Jurgielewicz-Wilkiel Nursery Farm, will speak at the Strongly Green City conference during the Green is Life trade fair on September 5. The slogan of this year's edition is "Join the green vanguard!". Are Polish cities ready for the coming revolution?
Ola Kloc: What does the green vanguard mean in practice?
Anna Jurgielewicz-Wilkiel: Let's start by explaining what the green vanguard actually is. It's an approach to designing, managing and thinking about urban space that is ahead of the curve and consistently sets its sights on the future. Green vanguard is conscious, systemic prevention, as in medicine - we don't cure, we prevent; we care, react, consult and, above all, cooperate.
Cities should be treated like a living organism, in which the various elements - greenery, water, infrastructure, residents, local climate - are in close relationship. If we neglect one of the systems, the whole suffers.
Ola Kloc: Are Polish cities ready for it?
Anna Jurgielewicz-Wilkiel: Some of them - definitely yes. And it is events such as the Green is Life fair that can play a key role as: a source of inspiration, knowledge and an impulse for action, both for large agglomerations and smaller cities and towns.
However, full readiness still requires a change in mentality among decision-makers, developers and residents themselves. It is the quality of urban life, not the pace of investment, that should be our top priority. Therefore, the question to ask should not be "are we ready?", but "do we have enough determination to create, together, a green future for our cities?".
Ola Kloc: Nowadays, one can notice a certain trend in the de-concretization of our cities - what mistakes should be avoided in these processes? What should be a priority for investors and contractors?
Anna Jurgielewicz-Wilkiel: De-concretization is definitely the right direction, but - like any systemic change - it can be implemented well or badly. The most common mistake is to treat the process only as an "aesthetic facelift," rather than as part of a well-thought-out climate strategy. Usually only concrete is taken off, but unfortunately without solving water retention problems, without taking into account the existing soil conditions or the real needs of the local community.
The result is a space with a new green façade, but without a solid foundation - the plants do not have the right conditions for growth, do not perform their ecological functions, and their care becomes costly and problematic. This leads to disappointment and frustration among residents, instead of improving the quality of life.
That's why it's crucial to start the process of de-conetrification by working with experts, specialists and local communities - right from the idea stage. It is necessary to clearly define the purpose of the investment: greenery is not only to support the climate, but also to harmonize with the daily rhythm of residents' lives.
It is worth remembering that the removal of concrete is only the first step. The newly created space needs to be maintained, nurtured and monitored so that it can realistically improve the quality of life, increase the attractiveness of the city and work in favor of the local microclimate.
Ola Kloc: What plants should we plant in cities, and which should we avoid?
Anna Jurgielewicz-Wilkiel: In urban greenery, we should first of all bet on native, hardy species that support local biodiversity. Such plants are naturally adapted to the climate and soil conditions of a given space, show greater resistance to drought, are less demanding to maintain and fit perfectly into the structure of green urban infrastructure.
Invasive species should definitely be avoided, which, once introduced into a new environment, spread uncontrollably, displace native species and destabilize local ecosystems. Foreign plants, although sometimes visually attractive, are a real threat to biodiversity - and its loss is not just a natural problem, but a step toward ecological disaster.
Choosing the right plants is therefore not a matter of aesthetics, but a strategic decision - affecting climate resilience, quality of life and the sustainability of urban ecosystems.
Ola Kloc: What role do plant nurserymen play in shaping the green transformation of cities?
Anna Jurgielewicz-Wilkiel: Plant nurserymen are a key link in the green vanguard - it is from them that the whole chain of responsibility for the quality of greenery in public spaces begins, they provide not only plants, but also knowledge, advice and experience gained in the production and breeding process. They are an important expert group, often involved from the design stage to the implementation of the project.
That's why it's so important for investors and designers to work with professional plant nurseries that specialize in the production of plants tailored to urban conditions and specific project requirements. The high quality of plant material determines whether plantings will be durable, resilient and fulfill their function - ecological, aesthetic and functional.
Trustworthy plant growers are brought together by the Polish Plant Nurserymen's Association - a prestigious organization that promotes the highest production standards and supports the industry through training, publications and events. A good example is the international exhibition Green is Life and the accompanying conference Strongly Green City - places where you can see the best plants, meet experts and gain inspiration for creating a sustainable green future for our cities.
Ola Kloc: What will you be talking about at the conference during the Green is Life fair?
Anna Jurgielewicz-Wilkiel: During the Strongly Green City Conference I will talk - through the eyes of a plant nurseryman - about how the selection of plants for urban spaces can combine the use of local resources with a response to global climate and environmental challenges. I will show why it is worth reaching for species produced in native nurseries - better adapted to local conditions, supporting biodiversity and easier to maintain.
I will also touch on the growing pressures of climate change, drought and plant diseases, and how to plan greenery in cities to be resilient, functional and aesthetically pleasing for years to come. It will be a story about how conscious plant choices can become the foundation for green transformation of cities - and the key role that plant nurserymen play in this process.
I cordially invite you to attend the Strongly Green City conference and visit the Green is Life trade fair, where you will be able to meet experts, learn about new developments and find inspiration for green activities in our cities.
Ola Kloc: Thank you for the interview.
Join the green vanguard! Let's meet on September 5 at the Strongly Green City Conference during the Green to Life Fair in Warsaw
Organizers
Agencja Promocji Zieleni, Polish Plant Nurserymen Association (www.zszp.pl)
Al. Jana Pawła II 80 lok. 71, 00-175 Warsaw, Poland
tel. 22 435 47 20 (21-22), [email protected]
