As many as 45 buildings, a swimming pool, a boulevard and a park - that's the latest PPP development in Gdansk's New Port and Brest. This is the first time the City and the developer have included the long-awaited public housing, but the venture raises questions about the quality of architecture, urban planning and the future of the neighborhood.
The Forum Gdansk, built on Targ Sienny and Rakowy, the northern tip of Granary Island in the heart of the city, or the development of the Lower Town (in progress) are all investments carried out under the so-called public-private partnership (PPP) formula. The capital of the Pomeranian Voivodeship, compared to other cities, uses PPP quite often. How does it work? The city contributes large plots of land in attractive locations, and the selected partner builds commercial buildings and accompanying investments to "serve the residents."
New Port and big challenges
But the results of this cooperation each time provoke discussions in Gdansk about whether public functions are adequate for the scale of commercial development. This is also the case now: in October the City signed another PPP agreement, under which developer Develia will build more than 45 buildings, including more than 1,000 apartments and commercial units, in New Port, but also in neighboring Brzeźno. The value of the city land was estimated at PLN 142.7 million net. According to the contract, Develia's fee for the development, construction, and maintenance of all public developments will be a net PLN 108.9 million.
As part of the development, the developer will build as many as 40 buildings, with a total of more than 1,000 apartments to be built
© Develia
In exchange for the opportunity to develop city land, the private partner will realize:
-
A municipal swimming pool at the intersection of Krasickiego and Galczynski streets - by the end of 2027.
-
Green boulevard "Zielona Wyzwolenia" - A new recreational and walking space.
-
Nursery on Mylna Street - scheduled to open in 2029.
-
Housing and commercialunits for the city's Gdansk Real Estate unit - 55 modernized and 31 new units.
-
A recreational park on the Western Lair.
Officials point out that preparations for the signing of the agreement took several years: from the analysis started in 2022, through the competitive dialogue with four candidates, to the selection of the private partner.
The process was transparent, based on substantive criteria and in accordance with the principles of public dialogue
- officials assure.
selection without a choice, only one offer was received
So much so, that the selection was actually non-existent. In the end, only Develia came forward, whose bid scored 81.55 points out of a possible 100. However, the urban planning and architectural part was particularly poorly evaluated, being awarded only 38.5 points. Officials found incompatibility of the concept with the local plan, deducting points, and although the new development was generally appreciated as fitting into the historic layout of New Port, the commission did not hide its comments: "part of the proposed development inadequately fits into the character and scale of the existing historic buildings."
It is necessary to verify the design assumptions in terms of the proposed architecture of the commercial buildings (facade details, colors, etc.).
- recognized the commission.
Although the process was supposed to be transparent and competitive, in practice the City was faced with selecting the only bid whose architectural vision was questionable.
The project will include a nursery
mat. Develia
The project is the result of Develia's cooperation with three architectural studios over a period of two years, as well as consultations with a conservationist
- reported A&B Develia.
Which studios are they? The developer declined to answer this question and added that it would only disclose the information "after working out the final version of it."
Agreements with the preservationist and the City Architect
From the very beginning, the overriding idea was to organize the urban layout of the district in order to create a coherent and resident-friendly environment, with respect for the cultural heritage and historical identity of New Port. The presented concept is the starting point for further in-depth discussions, as a result of which we will introduce the necessary changes
- announces Mariusz Polawski, vice president of Develia.
We asked how work on the urban-architectural project will proceed. And whether the authorities are satisfied with the concept.
This is a preliminary concept, which - according to the City's intention and the investor's declaration - will be further developed and refined with the participation of the Pomeranian Regional Monument Conservator and the City Architect's Office. The goal of these activities is to develop coherent, attractive and satisfactory urban and architectural solutions
- informs Joanna Bieganowska of the Gdansk City Hall.
An important novelty in the PPP project in Gdansk is that communal housing for the City will be created. It's hard not to get the impression that previous projects have left a lot of wasted potential here. This time, the developer will renovate 55 units in nine city tenements in the New Port area, giving residents long-awaited apartments in decent standards.
Joanna Bieganowska declares:
The buildings are currently in a very poor state of repair, and their reconstruction will not only restore their residential function, but also significantly improve the aesthetics and quality of the district's space.
But importantly, new units will also be created - 31 one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments. The units will not be in one, but in several buildings. This is a step in the right direction, although in the perspective of the whole project they represent only 3.1 percent of the apartments the developer will build. Not enough to speak of a revolution, but better than nothing.
Gdansk has signed a public-private partnership agreement with Develia
mat. Develia
The decision to include public housing in this PPP project was made in response to suggestions from the New Port District Council and requests from residents who pointed out the need to revitalize tenements
- Joanna Bieganowska says.
Although the public housing in the PPP project is a step in the right direction, the district still faces the challenge of ensuring that the benefits for residents do not disappear in the shadow of gentrification, questionable architecture and the developer's appetite.
In addition, in the case of another PPP project - by developer Euro Styl in the Lower Town - short-term rental units are planned, among other things, which raised considerable concerns among residents. In the case of Nowy Port, officials assure that the private partner has indicated that its intention is to build housing for the district's permanent residents. The snag is. the developer is not saying: "no.
We are committed to ensuring that the resulting development is diverse and responds to the current and future needs of the district, which is why, in one commercial area, it is possible to develop only services, which may result in the design of a building with rental units
- says Mariusz Polawski, vice president of Develia.
