"Betonosis," residents pass judgment and fry scrambled eggs on heated squares. "So many and so many percent more trees". - reply the authorities with tables. Things are getting hot in matters of greenery not only because of global warming. Archaic management of space and offices are sometimes to blame, among other things.
In Poznan, things have been in turmoil recently. Local journalists and residents have taken a close and critical look at the nearing completion of the Lazarski Square transformation, using the recently popular word "concretization". The project, the design of which was selected five years ago in a competition (designed by APA Jacek Bulat), was criticized for the shortage of greenery already planted, but also planned (residents had earlier called for more of it). In keeping with a fledgling custom in the country, the socialists also fried tofu soup (vegan scrambled eggs) on the heated pavement of the renovated market.
The authorities have reacted in a behemoth fashion without seeming to understand that the perception of space is subjective, and that design should be based on principles of user experience, not numbers, even if the numbers look favorable. Meanwhile, Deputy Mayor Mariusz Wisniewski has calculated how many trees and square meters of low greenery will increase compared to the state before the renovation. As usual in the case of downtown investments, the authorities pointed out the problem with underground infrastructure, as if the course of underground installations was the result of forces of nature, and not the result of deliberate and thoughtful human activity. In the days that followed, Facebook profiles and the city's website posted messages about where greenery had recently arrived.
Lazarus Market. The only larger enclave of greenery of its kind in the expansive square. More places of this type would significantly improve the perception of an otherwise well-designed space.
Photo: Jakub Głaz
same goal, but different pace
Information was also provided on the already completed and intended "de-paving" and greening of both newly designed and existing spaces. Especially where roadways have been narrowed and parking restricted in recent years. City officials also abruptly announced the possible planting of additional trees on Wierzbięcice Street, which has been under reconstruction for more than a year. Incidentally, they informed that the paucity of planned greenery was the fault of residents, who wanted more parking spaces. Surprised representatives of the local neighborhood council responded that no such demands had been made.
It seems, therefore, that the authorities, residents and community activists are playing to the same goal. So why the conflict? There are several reasons, and - to one degree or another - they apply not only to Poznań, but also to other cities.
In Poznan, the main culprit is the convoluted and archaic structure of urban space and greenery management, an unwillingness to act comprehensively and systemically. It is dealt with by various units, departments and city companies, and communication between them is not quick and smooth. Also significant is the usual silence of the Department of Urban Planning and Architecture, which for many years has limited itself to issuing administrative decisions. The director of the department is certainly not a creative architect of the city, and probably has no such ambitions. There is also a chronic lack of a person who manages all the greenery and nature in the city. After the recent resignation of the incumbent director of the Urban Greenery Board, the city should seriously consider creating the position of urban naturalist to coordinate the city's greenery, climate and retention intentions. So far, nothing is known about such intentions.
Poznan's Św. Marcin Street after reconstruction. Despite the planting of more than 60 new trees, the street space is perceived critically by residents. The reason, among others, is the scarcity of low greenery.
Photo: Jakub Głaz
strategy out of control
Finally, Poznań has had an updated city development strategy for several years, where greenery and friendly neighborhoods are given a lot of space. However, no one thoroughly checks whether all city investments, planning documents or construction permits are actually in line with the spirit and letter of the strategic documents. Suffice it to mention that in the drafts of new development plans, despite the constant objections raised, the archaic provision on the priority of planned underground installations over urban greenery returns like a boomerang. This systemic deficiency makes residents, councilors and community members forced to get active with every investment, say "check" and demand long-obvious corrections in line with the city's strategic documents. Perhaps this need to constantly revise the city's intentions is the reason for residents' growing frustration.
Another problem, also culpable of nationwide regulations, is the considerable inertia associated with investments. Once made, decisions are difficult to change for formal reasons, as well as, it seems, for ambition (officials are reluctant to admit mistakes, and if they do, it is with appropriate slippage). Here the solution may be the approach postulated already 15 years ago by Andreas Billert, a respected Polish expert on revitalization (the real one, understood as comprehensive renewal of entire neighborhoods, not just modernization and renovation). Urban and spatial management should be a rolling process, in which economic, financial and - very importantly - social variables are examined on an ongoing basis, including dynamically changing sentiments. Because, for example, residents' opinions on urban greenery have recently evolved very rapidly in the face of the climate crisis.
a concert of wishes
View of Lazarski Market from Glogowska Street. The place. where before the renovation there was a square planted with lush low greenery. Despite a more functional solution to the whole and the planting of several new trees, the paucity of greenery is evident here.
Photo: Jakub Głaz
Meanwhile, the authorities like to invoke the results of public consultations from many years ago. Arrangements that are often a "compromise", which was also favored then by some conservative-minded officials. Anyway, consultations are often very different in nature. There are those where a common and well-thought-out position is deliberately arrived at. However, there is no shortage of "wishful thinking concerts," where it is easier to accommodate the demands of the most active (though not always the most constructive) group of residents and - with a sense of duty well done - close the topic.
Finally, the lack of a creative base providing the city with creative and forward-thinking ideas avenges itself. A think tank of this kind, not directly entangled in the urban structure, is a body that every large city needs right away. Unfortunately, the typically Polish aversion to forward thinking prevails.
It is therefore necessary to decongest not only the streets, but also official heads and systems for managing urban spaces.
