Public investment in infrastructure usually brings with it destruction for the surrounding greenery. An infamous recent example is the construction of the tramway to Mistrzejowice in Krakow, where residents protested the cutting of 1,059 trees. However, infrastructure expansion does not always have to be destructive, as demonstrated in Gdynia.
Infrastructure expansions and reconstructions very often mean the elimination of adjacent green belts by razing them completely. As a result of the work, trees are cut down and heavy equipment is driven over the bushes. We know this landscape from many Polish cities. Can it be done differently?
Vitomine shrubs during the move
The scarp at Rolnicza and Chwarznieńska Streets in Gdynia's Witomin has become a site in need of reconstruction, as a result of changes made to the nearby intersection. However, before any work could begin, the contractor's company, together with the Gdynia City Gardener 's Department, launched a campaign to preserve elements of the local flora.
Plants overgrowing the escarpment so far, such as ligustrum, quince and quinces, were taken out by the contractors. Residents were able to come and pick up the shrubs to plant on their plots.
quince bush
photo: City of Gdynia Gardener's Department
In connection with the reconstruction of the road system, the Chwarznieńska-Rolnicza intersection, it was necessary to plant shrubs. We dug them out together with gentlemen from the contractor's company. They were quince, ligustrum and pentacle. About 7 people came who were interested in these shrubs. Also, everyone took a few cuttings each, and I think everyone is satisfied ," informs Szymon Sliwczynski of the Department of Gardening of the City of Gdynia.
a small action, but happy
In the donation of plants that may have been damaged by the reconstruction of the intersection, there is a certain almost imperceptible, information about the respect we express towards nature. As Wojciech Januszczyk pointed out in his column:
By creating, we destroy. Such is the truth of the architectural creative process, although one would like to think otherwise.
This destruction is very often irreversible, although, as the example from Gdynia shows, it is possible to look for more responsible solutions within small-scale urban innovations.
Of course, what has been successful in Gdynia on a small scale will not stop climate change, reduce the occurrence of urban heat islands, soil erosion or the incidence of the problem of lack of fresh water resources in Poland. However, such small-scale urban innovations testify, above all, to a change in the way we think, to paying attention to the value of these small steps — very often not even noticed from the perspective of cities...,
The shrubs were taken by residents of Gdynia
photo by Konrad Maćkowiak
