A research team consisting of young male and female architects (Maria Przybyła WAW ASP, Emilia Szcześniak WAW ASP, Julia Stala WAW ASP, Carmen Calderon WAW ASP Erasmus, Jadwiga Betlej WI SWPS, Aleksandra Aksamitowska IS UJ, Kornelia Bajda IGiGP UJ, Bartłomiej Ślawski IGiGP UJ, Hanna Danielak IS UJ, Sebastian Pawlik WA PK, Martyna Telko KMiW AGH) as part of the "New Space" workshop.presented an innovative project to revitalize the area around the Kotlarski Bridge in Krakow.The project on the Vistula River is a response to the challenges of adapting the city to climate change, the need for social integration and the need to restore the relationship between man and nature.
visuals
© Maria Przybyła, Emilia Szcześniak, Julia Stala, Carmen Calderon, Jadwiga Betlej, Aleksandra Aksamitowska, Kornelia Bajda, Bartłomiej Ślawski, Hanna Danielak, Sebastian Pawlik, Martyna Telko
residency - the key to the future of cities
The project is based on the concept of resilience, i.e. the ability of the urban system to adapt and resist climate and social change. The space around the Kotlarski Bridge is to become a flexible place, responding to the needs of residents and nature. The introduction of green infrastructure, aquatic ecosystems and multifunctional zones will enable better management of rainwater, increase biodiversity and improve the quality of life for residents/residents.
Vistula as the center of the urban ecosystem
The area of Kurlandzki Boulevard, which is the focus of the project, is currently threatened by flooding and separated from urban life. A clear boundary between water and human-used areas is observed, leading to the alienation of the river from the urban ecosystem. Surveys conducted show that residents of Krakow have limited awareness of the Vistula River, and young people often perceive it as a segregated, unfriendly element of the city.
To change this state of affairs, planners and designers are proposing to gradually blur the boundaries between water and urban space. Infrastructural elements, such as walking paths, water access points and natural waterfronts, aim to tame residents with the Vistula's presence in their daily lives. The Vistula is not just a river - it is a living organism that requires care and conscious coexistence.
visualization
© Maria Przybyła, Emilia Szcześniak, Julia Stala, Carmen Calderon, Jadwiga Betlej, Aleksandra Aksamitowska, Kornelia Bajda, Bartłomiej Ślawski, Hanna Danielak, Sebastian Pawlik, Martyna Telko
three functional zones - for body, relationship and mind
The project involves dividing the space around the Kotlarski Bridge into three complementary zones:
- sports zone - a space for physical activity, which will include a beach volleyball court and open space for sports and recreational events. Residents will be able to continue the tradition of holding outdoor cinema and yoga classes outdoors.
- family zone - a place designed with families in mind, including a modern playground and recreational space. Water elements, using purified water from the Vistula River, will allow the youngest children to build a positive relationship with the river from an early age. There will also be seating close to the surface of the water, allowing residents to experience its proximity.
- relaxation and spa zone - a space conducive to mental and physical regeneration. The main elements of this zone are a brine graduation tower that purifies the air and water, a vertical garden that reduces city noise, and sensory paths that allow contact with the natural environment.
technology and ecology
The planners and designers have used a number of innovative ecological solutions, such as water purification systems, green roofs and rainwater storage systems. Walking paths will be equipped with sensory water systems, and LED lighting responding to the quality of the Vistula's water will allow residents to monitor its condition in real time.
In addition, the project envisions the creation of a modern canoe marina, allowing residents to actively enjoy the river. This will make the Vistula a space not only for observation, but also for interaction and recreation.
visualization
© Maria Przybyła, Emilia Szcześniak, Julia Stala, Carmen Calderon, Jadwiga Betlej, Aleksandra Aksamitowska, Kornelia Bajda, Bartłomiej Ślawski, Hanna Danielak, Sebastian Pawlik, Martyna Telko
The future of the Kurlandzki Boulevard
The revitalization of the area around the Kotlarski Bridge is a step toward a city that is more resident/resident friendly and resilient to climate change. The project based on the concept of resilience allows not only to adapt the space to changing conditions, but also to build a lasting relationship between man and nature.
Through the "New Space" workshop, young architects are shaping the future of Krakow by creating solutions based on research and interdisciplinary cooperation. The new vision of the Kotlarski Bridge is an example of how smartly designed space can affect the quality of life of residents, social integration and environmental protection.
