The center of Kielce will get greener. As part of the "green revitalization of the historic downtown of Kielce" project, four places in the heart of the Świętokrzyskie capital will receive a new face. These activities are expected to help combat the urban heat island effect and the effects of changes resulting from the climate crisis.
four spaces
A bidding process is underway for the task of rebuilding the slab of Kielce's market square, the Irena Sendler square on Paderewskiego Street, Bodzentyńska Street along with St. Adalbert's Square and the area in front of the former synagogue. Each of the spaces has been designed by a different architectural firm - partly in a competition format. According to the city authorities, there is an offer in the tender for the work, which falls within the planned budget, so everything indicates that Kielce will go green.
A marketplace, not a frying pan
photo: mamArchitekci / UMK
The most important space where changes will take place is Kielce's market square. The square, which underwent a renovation a little over a decade ago, does not meet modern usage requirements, even despite the interventions carried out on its slab by designers from the Institute of Design in Kielce. The concept for the green metamorphosis of the square, designed by the Chodor-Projekt Construction Design Bureau, is being prepared by the mamArchitekci studio . We wrote about the project itself and the history of changes in Kielce's square in March. The designers from mamArchitekci also talked about the planned changes in an interview.
competition bodzentyńska
photo: Tera Group / Kielce City Hall
The Bodzentyńska street approaching the Market Square along with St. Adalbert's Square will get a new look. The city has announced an architectural competition for the design of this place, which was won by local studio Tera Group. The reconstruction will include green space with small architecture, a small fountain, and traffic will be subordinated to pedestrians.
An oasis of greenery in Sendler Square
photo. vostok design / Kielce City Hall
The greenest space will be the Irena Sendler square, designed by vostok design. The area, currently poor in terms of possible activities and partially fenced, is to undergo a complete transformation. Among the new objects designed in the square space is a multifunctional gazebo, which will also include a seating staircase, possible to be used as an auditorium during summer performances or concerts.
photo. vostok design / Kielce City Hall
A pergola with multiple seating areas and self-service public toilets have been designed along the northern frontage of the square. A play zone will be located near the Silnica River flowing through the area, with a modular structure on which swings and hammocks will be installed. The playground is to be accessible to people with disabilities. A rainwater basin in the form of a rain garden will appear in the northeastern part.
memory and greenery
photo: Gdak Studio / UM Kielce
In the case of Sendler's square and the square in front of the former Synagogue, the contractor for the works will also have to develop a detailed design on the basis of the concept (design and build). The preliminary design for the square in front of the former synagogue was prepared by Gdak Studio from Kielce. The site is to feature a "Garden of Freedom" with elements of an educational path and the evocation of historical examples of the development of freedom in Europe, to serve as an introduction to the main building of the former Synagogue and the themes present there. New plantings of tall, medium and low plants will allow to separate the existing green belt from the intensive traffic and create a park-garden enclave in such an unobvious place.
Photo: Gdak Studio / Kielce City Hall
